In my current job we often joke about the librarian stereotype: Older lady with her hair all done up in a tight bun, glasses slid down her nose, cardigan and sensible shoes on and her mouth constantly posed in a shushing position! Heaven forbid that anyone make a sound louder than a whisper in her library and everyone must always show the proper respect to the books. Does this sound familiar?
Every person has had different experiences with libraries and librarians. If you asked 5 different people to define what a library meant to them, you probably would get five different answers. None would be wrong because they would reflect what those individuals had experienced in their lifetimes.
These are some of my current beliefs in what the library sciences profession is (at the beginning of my MLIS journey):
1. Libraries do not include just books anymore. Librarians need to be able to adapt to all the changes that are occurring the world. Today libraries contain books, audio books, dvd's, computers, electronic books, etc and librarians have to be comfortable with these medias in order to help their patrons navigate all this material. Librarians don't need to be professionals but they do need to have good resources where the patron can be directed to. Basic knowledge is necessary in case the resources are unavailable at a particular time however.
2. While technology is great, librarians should support and encourage traditional ways as well. Actual physical books have been around for so long it would be sad to see them go by the wayside. Librarians should continue to encourage kids to learn how to look up information in a book instead of always on the internet. Today most children run directly to the internet for all of their information. This is a great resource but other resources should be encouraged as well.
3. Librarians need to be supportive of all their patrons and their choices. This should be reflected in the material that the library stocks on the shelves as well. Just because the librarian wouldn't want to read a particular book or watch a particular movie does not mean that everyone feels that way. There should be a variety when materials are being purchased for the library. Patrons should also feel comfortable approaching a librarian to ask questions regarding particular material and not feel uncomfortable.
4. Libraries should be there for the entire community, not just a chosen few. It can be tempting to just focus on those who consistently use the library according to our beliefs and only bring in material and programs just for them. However the library is there for the entire community and efforts should be made to make material and program fit all aspects of the community. The library should be a place of learning for all. Everyone should be comfortable walking into the door of the library.
What are your thoughts of libraries and librarians?
Every person has had different experiences with libraries and librarians. If you asked 5 different people to define what a library meant to them, you probably would get five different answers. None would be wrong because they would reflect what those individuals had experienced in their lifetimes.
These are some of my current beliefs in what the library sciences profession is (at the beginning of my MLIS journey):
1. Libraries do not include just books anymore. Librarians need to be able to adapt to all the changes that are occurring the world. Today libraries contain books, audio books, dvd's, computers, electronic books, etc and librarians have to be comfortable with these medias in order to help their patrons navigate all this material. Librarians don't need to be professionals but they do need to have good resources where the patron can be directed to. Basic knowledge is necessary in case the resources are unavailable at a particular time however.
2. While technology is great, librarians should support and encourage traditional ways as well. Actual physical books have been around for so long it would be sad to see them go by the wayside. Librarians should continue to encourage kids to learn how to look up information in a book instead of always on the internet. Today most children run directly to the internet for all of their information. This is a great resource but other resources should be encouraged as well.
3. Librarians need to be supportive of all their patrons and their choices. This should be reflected in the material that the library stocks on the shelves as well. Just because the librarian wouldn't want to read a particular book or watch a particular movie does not mean that everyone feels that way. There should be a variety when materials are being purchased for the library. Patrons should also feel comfortable approaching a librarian to ask questions regarding particular material and not feel uncomfortable.
4. Libraries should be there for the entire community, not just a chosen few. It can be tempting to just focus on those who consistently use the library according to our beliefs and only bring in material and programs just for them. However the library is there for the entire community and efforts should be made to make material and program fit all aspects of the community. The library should be a place of learning for all. Everyone should be comfortable walking into the door of the library.
What are your thoughts of libraries and librarians?
No comments:
Post a Comment