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Discussion: What if librarians actively tried to smash the Nancy Pearl stereotype?
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 señorbibliotecario |
What if librarians actively tried to smash the Nancy Pearl stereotype?
Jun 27 2008, 4:57 PM EDT I think Nancy Pearl is an outstanding librarian, but the stereotype she promotes is damaging to librarians and to libraries. It may be cute to folks in the profession and it may be funny to folks outside of the profession, but it is what the public thinks of when they think of libraries and librarians. How about instead of being little old ladies with "shooshing action" we were cool, friendly people who help kids instead of shoosh them? As younger librarians take the helm, it must be our duty to smash the old stereotype and create a new one. Bob Dylan put it best (although he was referring to parents), "Your old road is rapidly agin', please get out of the new one if you can lend your hand, for the times, they are a-changin'." 1 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
 jthompso |
RE: What if librarians actively tried to smash the Nancy Pearl stereotype?
Jul 4 2008, 1:41 AM EDT I've always shared in this feeling too. While the Nancy model of librarians is extremely recognizable to the general public (which has value in its own way), there needs to be a parallel image of librarians forced into the public consciousness that shows us to be innovative, customer service driven, and well... nice. Here's a sure hot-fire "What if." What if we as a profession played up the sexy-fetish librarian image? At least its already there in the public consciousness and possibly offers something to build upon. [Note that I'm not actually recommending this - only asking if there would be any potential support for it. Think ALA would build a campaign around this idea?] 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
 Conspirator |
So, let's do something about it.
Jul 10 2008, 10:00 PM EDT I personally am working to change that by my daily behavior. I wear my nametag whenever I'm out on the floor, which says I'm a Librarian and Technical Services Manager. I never shush, I always talk to people, I ask the folks searching the catalog if they're finding what they need and explain that my department creates and maintains the catalog. I'm never in a skirt. Or a suit. I talk tech. (Heck - I BREATHE tech.) I offer service. And that's what libraries are, IMHO - we provide service, not information. Anyone can FIND information, just like anyone can buy a computer. It takes us professionals to provide the support that makes it run. That's the image I try to put out there. Carolyn Goolsby Tacoma Public Library Do you find this valuable? |