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
