Readings for 16 October 2006
"Librarians" -- U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Statistics
I found it surprising that the article suggested that fewer librarians would be needed because of online reference availability. Evidently the writer doesn't realize that experienced librarians will be able to answer questions more fully and give better resources than the computer. And they'll know whether the computer is the right tool for the job; Google doesn't usually provide one with an answer like that (unless it's steered you to a librarian's website). The usefulness of physical books is immense. Plus, the Internet is daunting, and a librarian is more likely to be able to point to salient websites, too. Automated services don't allow for easy customization.
"The Ugly Side of Librarianship" -- Klaus Mussman
I'm astonished that Yust did not propose education inside the library. Harris obviously saw that this was a vital part of an African-American library. In order to have patrons, she focused on the kids. The kids would continue to visit as adults, be better-influenced citizens, and bring their own children. It's a matter of betterment that librarians should be mindful of. So, when there were libraries with doors open to African-Americans, it was essential that they provide educational programs, and their failure to do so shows, perhaps, the changing idea of what a librarian is supposed to do.
"Information Technology and the De-Skilling of Librarians" -- Roma Harris
I don't know. I feel like some of the things like cataloging are more housekeeping in scope. They are perhaps best done by a paraprofessional. There should always be a librarian overseeing the paraprofessional, but I think it is perhaps a waste of precious resources to have a librarian focused solely on cataloging when the work can be done by someone who costs less. I know, I'm talking myself and other librarians out of jobs. And perhaps catalogers can be justified by large libraries (universities, L of C -- of course!, NYPL). But if the position can be shared by a paraprofessional for the majority of the work and a librarian for the more delicate tasks, this is a good way to not only save money, but to help foster a sense of community with a librarian and her subordinates. Perhaps this is shocking thinking, but I think a librarian should be a Jill-of-all-trades, to a certain extent, and thus can be useful to more people -- both staff and patrons.
"Librarians and party girls: Cultural studies and the meaning of the librarian" -- Marie L. Radford and Gary P. Radford
I thought that this was a delightful article. The last couple of pages were the most beneficial; they gave the meat of the solutions offered, and that's what really counts. It doesn't help to rehash what the stereotypes of a librarian are if we aren't given tools to help counteract them. I found it funny, though, that it was suggested that these counter-stereotypical images should be disseminated in professional library journals. How many people in the general population read professional library journals? How many know that such things even exist? I think we're gonna have to get more proactive on this than simply pointing out to our coworkers that we aren't all frumpy middle-aged women with hair buns and chains on our glasses. We already know that. The real issue is what we can do to present our varied selves to the greater world, and that involves real outreach.
"Librarians" -- U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Statistics
I found it surprising that the article suggested that fewer librarians would be needed because of online reference availability. Evidently the writer doesn't realize that experienced librarians will be able to answer questions more fully and give better resources than the computer. And they'll know whether the computer is the right tool for the job; Google doesn't usually provide one with an answer like that (unless it's steered you to a librarian's website). The usefulness of physical books is immense. Plus, the Internet is daunting, and a librarian is more likely to be able to point to salient websites, too. Automated services don't allow for easy customization.
"The Ugly Side of Librarianship" -- Klaus Mussman
I'm astonished that Yust did not propose education inside the library. Harris obviously saw that this was a vital part of an African-American library. In order to have patrons, she focused on the kids. The kids would continue to visit as adults, be better-influenced citizens, and bring their own children. It's a matter of betterment that librarians should be mindful of. So, when there were libraries with doors open to African-Americans, it was essential that they provide educational programs, and their failure to do so shows, perhaps, the changing idea of what a librarian is supposed to do.
"Information Technology and the De-Skilling of Librarians" -- Roma Harris
I don't know. I feel like some of the things like cataloging are more housekeeping in scope. They are perhaps best done by a paraprofessional. There should always be a librarian overseeing the paraprofessional, but I think it is perhaps a waste of precious resources to have a librarian focused solely on cataloging when the work can be done by someone who costs less. I know, I'm talking myself and other librarians out of jobs. And perhaps catalogers can be justified by large libraries (universities, L of C -- of course!, NYPL). But if the position can be shared by a paraprofessional for the majority of the work and a librarian for the more delicate tasks, this is a good way to not only save money, but to help foster a sense of community with a librarian and her subordinates. Perhaps this is shocking thinking, but I think a librarian should be a Jill-of-all-trades, to a certain extent, and thus can be useful to more people -- both staff and patrons.
"Librarians and party girls: Cultural studies and the meaning of the librarian" -- Marie L. Radford and Gary P. Radford
I thought that this was a delightful article. The last couple of pages were the most beneficial; they gave the meat of the solutions offered, and that's what really counts. It doesn't help to rehash what the stereotypes of a librarian are if we aren't given tools to help counteract them. I found it funny, though, that it was suggested that these counter-stereotypical images should be disseminated in professional library journals. How many people in the general population read professional library journals? How many know that such things even exist? I think we're gonna have to get more proactive on this than simply pointing out to our coworkers that we aren't all frumpy middle-aged women with hair buns and chains on our glasses. We already know that. The real issue is what we can do to present our varied selves to the greater world, and that involves real outreach.
posted by Julia Faith | 11:55 AM
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