Two more firsts for me this year.  After several years of near-misses, I’m finally making it to the PLA Conference in Portland. I also decided to join PLA this year.  Having been on the LITA Board for 6 years (3 as an officer), I have heard many times about the expense of professional affiliations.  I’ve always paid my own way for ALA and Divisional memberships, which I find to be a bargain compared to other professions.  In previous years, I could not think of a good reason to join PLA. But then my job changed at the same time I …