If you haven't watched it yet, take four minutes and watch the video for "Out of the Game" by Rufus Wainwright.
As some have pointed out, there's no denying that Helena Bonham Carter makes a fabulous librarian in this video. If nothing else, I covet her frames. Also, check out those amazing shoes.
Even still, I'm bothered by the stereotype portrayed.Contrary to what you might think, it's not the sexy librarian stuff that's bothering me. I actually get a kick out of that particular stereotype. No, what bothers me is the "working at a library is so boring and she's got nothing to do" aspect. I always have more to do than I have time to do it, and I know this is true of librarians in every kind of library. Why do people think we do nothing all day?
It's not worth getting too upset about, I know, but it is irking me a bit. What do you all think?
Even still, I'm bothered by the stereotype portrayed.Contrary to what you might think, it's not the sexy librarian stuff that's bothering me. I actually get a kick out of that particular stereotype. No, what bothers me is the "working at a library is so boring and she's got nothing to do" aspect. I always have more to do than I have time to do it, and I know this is true of librarians in every kind of library. Why do people think we do nothing all day?
It's not worth getting too upset about, I know, but it is irking me a bit. What do you all think?
My thought: The screenwriter for the video is obviously not well-acquainted with libraries or librarians. I kept waiting for the Kindle logo to pop-up...
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad, though, since it's a nice small library where it's all set.
DeleteHi Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI agree librarian stereotypes are frustrating. What irkes me even more is the comment "You have to have a Master's degree to be aa librarian?"
I don't mind all stereotypes, especially the internal ones (http://letterstoayounglibrarian.blogspot.com/2012/03/crazy-librarian-lady-or-how-i-learned.html), but the "librarians do nothing all day" seems hurtful.
DeleteI completely agree. People think librarians have such a relaxing life and that we read books all day. If you are a bored librarian, you're doing it wrong. I will agree that I don't mind the glasses stereotype (I wear them) nor the cute blazer and skirt stereotype (I've been known to wear them) nor the sexy stereotype (because librarianship is sexy.
ReplyDeleteLibrarianship IS sexy!
DeleteI think there are multiple layers to this.
ReplyDelete1. The public's perception of what constitutes "doing something." I remember being a paraprofessional and thinking that library managers didn't do anything, because they were always on their computers and never at the desk. I didn't understand the higher levels of work that had to be done. Maybe they see us "reading magazines," but we're really looking in journals for books to buy, or checking in periodicals and checking the volume and issue numbers. They see us on the computer buying books and think we're surfing the web. Updating Facebook isn't seen as a library responsibility, but I maintain my library's FB page. Etc.
2. Some libraries have such rigid divisions of work due to unions or HR policies, that some staff members aren't given enough to do and so have to find ways to fill their time that aren't always necessarily library-related.
Thanks for your insight, Cari. I think there's probably a lot of truth to what you shared.
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