Why doesn't Library Journal pay for its book reviews?

Library Journal (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When I was unemployed for 6 months, I had the (entirely predictable) idea of perhaps writing book reviews until I could land my next library gig. It was disheartening to read the first bit of LJ's guidelines:

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Library Journal Book Review is a selection tool used in both public and academic libraries. Each year it offers signed professional reviews of approximately 7,000 current titles in a wide range of disciplines. Our service is thus an important one for libraries and their users.
Reviewing for LJ is a demanding and time-consuming activity, but one that can yield a good deal of professional satisfaction. We do not accept unsolicited reviews. We do try to honor our regular reviewers’ requests for specific books or subjects to review (though not, of course, books written by friends, relatives, or associates). We ask our contributors to agree not to review for other publications the same books they review for LJ, and not to send copies of their reviews to publishers or authors.
There is no payment for reviews. When possible, the reviewer receives a finished copy of the book. Our service to the library audience would not be possible without the generosity of over 1,500 contributors. The quality of Library Journal Book Review ultimately depends on their expertise, intellectual integrity, and professional commitment.
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What the crap is this classist shit? No payment for reviews? History is written by the winners. So too are its book reviews, apparently. Unemployed between jobs? (Under-)Employed full time but weak executive functioning due to neurological difference? Who cares what you think, apparently. Nope, reviews are for closers, er, I mean Type A librarians who work AND have time to write thoughtful reviews completely gratis, from their sense of professional commitment.

I know this is LJ we're talking about, but damn yo.  This is some first order noblesse oblige bullshit here.  Pay for your damn reviews, LJ.  You're extracting valuable intellectual labor and not paying for it.  Yes, I know it "pays off" for already-successful librarians in other ways, another feather in their cap, etc.  But if you actually paid for your reviews, it might motivate those of us who are struggling to write for you.  Otherwise why should I bother?  If my time and effort aren't valuable to you, why should I write for you and not myself?  Only the already successful can really afford to write for you.  It's classist as all getout.