Some plain speaking, straight thinking, and good linkage on the bun-and-glasses debate from Blisspix\’s Fiona Bradley:
One of the greatest bugbears in librarianship continues to be stereotype and the image of librarians. Long perceived as old women who wear buns in their hair, glasses, and a twin-set, this image has become stereotype thanks to the image of librarians in film, novels, and journalism. The American Library Association has decided that this impression needs to change, especially since a large percentage of librarians will retire in the next ten years and there will be many vacancies to fill. The ALA has embarked on a recruitment drive, promoting the work of a librarian as being worthwhile, awash with new technology, and overall, just \’cool\’ . . .
Not once are the values of a librarian mentioned, nor what they actually do in their day to day work, or how much money they make. These are the things that people need to know to choose a career. It matters nothing if they get to wear \”trendy clothes\” or not.
Complete article. Don\’t forget to check out Fiona\’s great radio show, Between the Stacks.
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