I think "Mmmm, donuts, ghlarglargh". Working in a library would be right up there with working in a sweet shop. I suffer from Book Lust, looking up at library shelves, thinking how someday I *must* read all those books.... So I equate 'Librarian' with 'Lucky Git'. :)
I worked in a library for about four years, and I hope to work in one again shortly. Libraries are beautiful places, but I think a lot of people think working in a library is a glamorous job and I know that it can be just as stressful and frustrating as any other job where you must work closely with the public.
Years ago I would have said a stearn woman giving you the evil eye when you drop a pin...however after my sis joined the library services as a infomation officer my views changed...she is definatly not stearn! And she had the enviable position to do reasearch work in the new British library in London with access to the archives the general public would never get to see, how lucky can you be!
Well, sadly ZF, I too associate librarians as women.
Sorry.
Not just a women. But an older, crabby bitch who is constantly nagging about the spines of the books being creased when the book is returned. Or one that snaps at you when you really aren't 100% familiar with the Dewey Decimal system, and have to ask her four times for the location of a particular book.
Yep, that's what I think of when I think of librarians.
But, I realize that that's a stereotype, and I apologize.
Barbara Gordon (BatGirl and Commissioner Gordon's daughter) was a librarian. I too, originally thought you were a woman but soon was not shocked to learn that there might be male librarians out there. GASP!
I spent a lot of time in the library as a kid so I think of the nice women at the Burlington Public Library who always helped me with school projects, and gave me prizes for reading in the summer time.
I always wondered though, what kind of librarian are you, a children's librarian, or an old person's librarian?
I can't believe I forgot that bit of Batman lore. Thanks for reminding me.
There are a few male librarians. Some people have referred to the profession as a "pink collar ghetto"
"...what kind of librarian are you, a children's librarian, or an old person's librarian?"
I'm what we call an Academic Librarian (university). There is not enough money in the world to pay me to be a children's librarian. Well, maybe there is.
I've always throught it must be frustrating to be a librarian and be exposed to continuous book temptation. I can't even return a book to the library without leaving with twenty more. I would be paralysed in that environment full time. But my current librarian connections are the cute young (married) man on the mobile library bus and the originally-sour woman behind the desk at the Kamo branch who, since my pro-library blog was circulated by above young man, is now almost friendly.
to me, librarians are holding down the fort, protecting the treasure we call books, at a time when it seems kids are computer saavy before they can walk but hardly ever pick up a book....so I hold librarians in high esteem, in the same category as polka players and fly fishermen who use bamboo rods....
I guess I ought to say what I think about. I think that whomever else is reading or hearing the word Librarian has immediately jumped to conclusions. These conclusions are that librarians tell people to be quiet and check out books. It's that we are all women and that they are dressed in wool skirts. Yes, I think that many people accept the stereotype.
The truth is that I have met many people who have expressed those thoughts to me. They had a certain preconception about what it is that I do (even if that is just sitting and reading all day). I seem to spend a lot of time telling people what I do, and they say really or I would never have guessed or something like that.
G, yes, here's hoping. Incidentally, the new dean at U of T has raised the issue of dropping the label librarian. I have often wondered about that too. But, I used to work as an Information Specialist, and no one could figure out what I did. Even though the stereotype gets in the way, people have a better idea of what I do as a librarian that what I did as as Information Specialist.
After reading all of those and seeing 2 of my 3 thoughts of what I think of when I hear Librarian I was surprised that no one else said 'Giles' from Buffy!
36 comments:
Me? I think 'hot', but that's me. I love libraries, used to work in a bookstore....
and i think Parker Posey in Party Girl.
thanks for coming by my blog, btw.
holy crap, i just saw that you were male!
I'm not coming on to you, i swear!
i usually have to know you for a while before you become a blog my blog has sex with....
slinking offstage now...
Cheers, LL
I guess that is one answer to my question: female. That's understandable, since 80% or so are women.
I think "Mmmm, donuts, ghlarglargh". Working in a library would be right up there with working in a sweet shop. I suffer from Book Lust, looking up at library shelves, thinking how someday I *must* read all those books....
So I equate 'Librarian' with 'Lucky Git'. :)
Unemployment. But then, I'm just bitter.
I think of a cool person that can help me. No nerdy sentinment, because I'm a writer and bookworm
I always get that image in my head of the beautiful librarian, dark hair up loosely on her head - pencil through it, and beautiful... so I think Hot!
I think of this!
I worked in a library for about four years, and I hope to work in one again shortly. Libraries are beautiful places, but I think a lot of people think working in a library is a glamorous job and I know that it can be just as stressful and frustrating as any other job where you must work closely with the public.
xo, chisel
http://photobooth.blogdrive.com
Wow, such very interesting comments.
Years ago I would have said a stearn woman giving you the evil eye when you drop a pin...however after my sis joined the library services as a infomation officer my views changed...she is definatly not stearn! And she had the enviable position to do reasearch work in the new British library in London with access to the archives the general public would never get to see, how lucky can you be!
The movie "The Mummy"
TO be honest, a strip-o-gram
mrsmogul, there must ne a story there.
Diana, Thank you for the link. It looks fascinating.
Well, sadly ZF, I too associate librarians as women.
Sorry.
Not just a women. But an older, crabby bitch who is constantly nagging about the spines of the books being creased when the book is returned. Or one that snaps at you when you really aren't 100% familiar with the Dewey Decimal system, and have to ask her four times for the location of a particular book.
Yep, that's what I think of when I think of librarians.
But, I realize that that's a stereotype, and I apologize.
Sorry ZF...
I think, 17 years old, 7.45am, reference section, sex.
007, I was waiting for someone to say that. Thanks for saying it. The sterotype endures to this day, sadly.
Deek, is that a fond memory or a fantasy?
A woman who can tell you where to find anything. Not a clever answer, but it's what I think of.
"Marion" from the "Music Man" ...or searching for books in the stacks, love to read b/c am a certified bibliophile
Keeper of books - I love him/her already!
Finally, someone said Marion. I was waiting for that.
I think why don't people who knew me before I was a librarian believe that I am one now?
Barbara Gordon (BatGirl and Commissioner Gordon's daughter) was a librarian. I too, originally thought you were a woman but soon was not shocked to learn that there might be male librarians out there. GASP!
I spent a lot of time in the library as a kid so I think of the nice women at the Burlington Public Library who always helped me with school projects, and gave me prizes for reading in the summer time.
I always wondered though, what kind of librarian are you, a children's librarian, or an old person's librarian?
I can't believe I forgot that bit of Batman lore. Thanks for reminding me.
There are a few male librarians. Some people have referred to the profession as a "pink collar ghetto"
"...what kind of librarian are you, a children's librarian, or an old person's librarian?"
I'm what we call an Academic Librarian (university). There is not enough money in the world to pay me to be a children's librarian. Well, maybe there is.
I've always throught it must be frustrating to be a librarian and be exposed to continuous book temptation. I can't even return a book to the library without leaving with twenty more. I would be paralysed in that environment full time.
But my current librarian connections are the cute young (married) man on the mobile library bus and the originally-sour woman behind the desk at the Kamo branch who, since my pro-library blog was circulated by above young man, is now almost friendly.
to me, librarians are holding down the fort, protecting the treasure we call books, at a time when it seems kids are computer saavy before they can walk but hardly ever pick up a book....so I hold librarians in high esteem, in the same category as polka players and fly fishermen who use bamboo rods....
I didn't read any of the other answers so they wouldn't influence me.
Librarian: A person who loves books and wants you to love books, too.
I'm a librarian, so I'm a little partial...
I think of Kate Hepburn in The Desk Set: Smart, witty, sharp and sexy. I also think of "defenders of the First Amendment."
I honestly don't think of the sterotype anymore because I never see that type in my day-to-day work.
"Smart, witty, sharp and sexy" describes me perfectly too ;-)
I guess I ought to say what I think about. I think that whomever else is reading or hearing the word Librarian has immediately jumped to conclusions. These conclusions are that librarians tell people to be quiet and check out books. It's that we are all women and that they are dressed in wool skirts. Yes, I think that many people accept the stereotype.
The truth is that I have met many people who have expressed those thoughts to me. They had a certain preconception about what it is that I do (even if that is just sitting and reading all day). I seem to spend a lot of time telling people what I do, and they say really or I would never have guessed or something like that.
I gleaned much info from reading through the comments made after I posted. I had a strong feeling you're a librarian. ;)
A close relative of mine worked in libraries with male librarians so from my teens on, I saw those libraries from the insides. Oh the stories!
So many people have the stereotypical images of libraians and for other fields. Think of "nurse" and there's more. Great post, Z!
G, yes, here's hoping. Incidentally, the new dean at U of T has raised the issue of dropping the label librarian. I have often wondered about that too. But, I used to work as an Information Specialist, and no one could figure out what I did. Even though the stereotype gets in the way, people have a better idea of what I do as a librarian that what I did as as Information Specialist.
After reading all of those and seeing 2 of my 3 thoughts of what I think of when I hear Librarian I was surprised that no one else said 'Giles' from Buffy!
Yes, it's surprising that no one mentioned Giles. That must have been the first prime time portrayal of a male librarian.
sex!
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