It really is all in how you write the story…
~Charlotte (who is starting to realize she just needs to be more comfortable in her own library-loving skin) 
Soapbox overturned?? July 10, 2007
Charlotte’s Soapbox July 6, 2007
Every time I see or hear the phrase “hip, young librarians” I catch myself on the verge of gagging. Why, you ask? Weeeeelll…as one such young librarian, I find it a bit tiring to be singled out as the antithesis of the “old librarian stereotype.” Above-referenced article contains at least one such mention. I quote:
“…Although ‘hip’ is not an adjective generally associated with librarians, a stack of archivists, publishers, illustrators, librarians, and other bibliophiles called the Desk Set is out to challenge their image as staid…”
Don’t you just love the press?
A lovely group of young people who share professional goals and a love of all things bookish decide that it would be fun to get together on a regular basis to socialize and let down their nonexistant buns. Not so different from how I spend my weekends to be honest (though I tend to leave out the cataloging of my drinks and the official logo, which I might add is pretty sharp…)
The PRESS seems to think it’s ‘neat,’ ‘hip,’ ‘cool,’ ‘groovy’ that librarians might even think to have a few drinks and dance the night away. Thus they write these catchy little pieces that highlight how unusual such a bunch of people is…how different from the norm or stereotype they are. And the kicker? All the while the journalists are creating their cute little stories, they are perpetuating the librarian stereotype just by virtue of mentioning it for point of comparison…
Of course those Desk Set librarians (I only single them out because they’re the subject of this article…MANY of us are guilty) don’t quite help matters when they drink dewey decimal-titled cocktails and sport slogans like “she blinded me with library science.” Again, so consciously resisting the stereotype that the end result is something that brings the stereotype to the front of our minds.
Soooo….from one young librarian to many others. I think it’s time we just be ourselves, whatever that might mean…
Now THAT would be something to write about… 
~Charlotte
CCube phone home? July 5, 2007
Heard an interesting piece on npr’s “Marketplace” this morning. It was all about Ccube, a social networking site that takes the online networking concept to a whole new level. Not only can people find you, but they can CALL you! The reporter equated it to “telemarketing in reverse”…instead of individuals with certain interests or services calling you, you’re searching for and calling them!
Each Ccube member’s profile comes equipped with an optional “call me on Ccube” button. All phone numbers are kept secure and confidential by Ccube (caller IDs will display the Ccube number rather than the person’s private number), so people can choose to remain anonymous if they wish. Additionally, users can block unwanted callers, decide during what hours to receive calls, and accept/reject requests to talk with others.
Users can access this service for free, as long as they use under 60 minutes of talk time per month. 250 minutes costs $7/mo, and 1,000 minutes costs $20/mo.
For now I’m reserving judgment on Ccube, as it’s still a fledgling…but I can’t help but think there will be many implications to spending up to 1,000 minutes per month talking to strangers. Speaking for myself, I know that I don’t spend that much time talking on the phone with friends and family! Maybe talking to strangers is easier??
I’m curious about whether Ccube will sink or swim, and I’m curious to know whether it’s something my students will be jumping on board with. Post a comment and let me know what you think…
~Charlotte
Peevish? May 8, 2007
Today I happened across this little entry at Merriam-Webster Online . Check the example sentence of the word. harumph! Will we ever shake this sterotype? Examples of this are disheartening, because it goes to show how ingrained and pervasive sterotypes can be. In this case, the stereotype makes it into reference material, which in my mind should strive to be more objective with their examples….especially because libraries are probably their biggest customers!
It just occurred to me that the paragraph above makes me sound a little peevish and am aware of the irony.
OK, back to being non-peevish: I think the profession has come a long way to improve our image and prove to patrons that we are friendly, approachable, and certainly NOT peevish. I think we have a great staff and am constantly amazed at the lengths they go to to help our patrons.
peevish
One entry found for peevish. Entry Word: peevish
Function: adjective
Text: 1 easily irritated or annoyed <I prefer to figure things out on my own rather than ask that peevish librarian for help> — see IRRITABLE
Batgirl, Ben Franklin, and Laura Bush April 26, 2007
This morning Lucille, Charlotte and I along with another co-worker were able to participate in Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day . Having no children of my own, I am always a little confused at what young adults are thinking these days. I feel out of touch with the under 20-something population. I must say, I was excited at their laughterfor some of our jokes, their attentiveness, and the way a few of them ran to the circulation desk to sign up for a library card after the session. While some of the attendees may have been a little bleary eyed for our 8 30 am presentation (who can blame them on a rainy morning?), this librarian-to-be felt a renewed sense of passion for her chosen field. It may seem silly, sometimes it just takes saying outloud how amazing the job opportunities are, the value of the work you do, and remembering the people who are helped by the profession to really feel the proverbial pat-on-the-back for the career choice one has made. Of course, it helps having amazing co-workers to be role models and all-around-library-heroes along the way. I think that Evie (Rachel Weisz) sums it all up in her statement
“Look, I… I may not be an explorer, or an adventurer, or a treasure-seeker, or a gunfighter, Mr. O’Connell, but I am proud of what I am…. I am a librarian. “
And just so you know– Ben Franklin, Laura Bush, and Batgirl are all librarians. Don’t believe me? Check this video out!
