Comments on: GUEST POST #1: “How do you feel about the Librarian Image?” by Andy Woodworth

By: “the Amy Winehouse of occupations” « Agnostic, Maybe

“the Amy Winehouse of occupations” « Agnostic, Maybe — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 03:39:26 +0000

[...] Linda Ueki Absher, a drink. Specifically, I’m thinking of a box of wine. I had written about librarian stereotypes as a guest post for Will Manley’s blog over the summer, but Mrs. Absher’s piece on the image of [...]

By: Andy

Andy — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 05:43:31 +0000

I’ve updated my wardrobe in the last year, adding in more slacks, sweaters, and sweater vests. Too often I felt like I was doing a high school presentation in just a button down shirt and khakis.

The flip side of this is that all of my previous jobs did not require dressing up at all. When you work with plants, you get dirty so jeans and whatever sloppy shirt you have are the norm. My career change was a fashion one as well. =D

By: Andy

Andy — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 05:43:31 +0000

I’ve updated my wardrobe in the last year, adding in more slacks, sweaters, and sweater vests. Too often I felt like I was doing a high school presentation in just a button down shirt and khakis.

By: birdy

birdy — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:19:13 +0000

When I was trying to buy my co-op, which needed board approval, being a librarian was a definite asset. I suspect thoughts like “intelligent, “meek, mild, not a trouble-maker,” “quiet – not likely to have boisterous guests or parties” were running through their heads. I didn’t wear bobby socks or a cardigan or a bun to the interview (dressed up for the occasion – a rare occurrence for me), but post-approval, they will not have seen me in anything but teeshirts and jeans/ shorts.

For co-op boards, the stereotype is definitely more valuable than a more modern image!

By: birdy

birdy — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:43:36 +0000

I’ve been on quite a few juries. There was a time when I did not get past the panel selection, but after the first time I was selected (the only woman on a jury deciding a homicide case), I was selected almost every time. And I was very forthright in my answers about knowing both criminals and lawyers, having been the victim of a crime, and knowing a number of murder victims (the price of going to a good college (2) and knowing a wide spectrum of urban society (3)).

Many of my colleagues were also chosen for juries. My impression is that lawyers were looking for people who could think in a common-sense way, but not be unduly influenced/be unduly influencing by/toward other jurors.

By: Shelley

Shelley — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 04:37:05 +0000

We actually had a VP for Academic Affairs–the administrator responsible for the library–who truly believed that books arrived by magic from the publishers with catalog cards and call numbers on spine and could be shelved by student workers. He later became the president of a university …

By: Carla S.

Carla S. — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:38:36 +0000

Hi Andy,
I’m with you on Project Runway and I still love watching the show. I think you are on to something. As far as perceptions go, I state that I am one of those “radical librarians” on my Facebook page.

By: Andy

Andy — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:44:22 +0000

Right. I get it now, John. Rather than figuring out ways to deal with this enormous undertaking, it was shoved aside.

By: John D. Berry

John D. Berry — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:08:05 +0000

Do NOT take me seriously at every turn.

By: Heather F.

Heather F. — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:04:54 +0000

John,
Well I don’t know what you alluding to by saying that we all are reality challenged. I would say that it is rather arrogant to question the legitimacy of our experience by comparing it to your own.

I never said I was shy about being Black seeing how it is literally written all over my face I am just stating the fact of my experience in this profession with customers and with colleagues. I think it is also very presumptive of you to tell us (or anyone for that matter) what we need. You are beginning to sound a little bit like “the man.” Check yourself!