Comments on: Librarian Stereotypes, Alive & Well, Alas

By: Janie Jones

Janie Jones — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:07:06 +0000

Tamara,
I am interested in learning whether or not your fiance is convinced that librarians.NE.their stereotypes. And if he is, what was the compelling argument?

By: Kathy Dempsey

Kathy Dempsey — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:13:51 +0000

For those of us keeping score, the NY Times just had an article packed with stereotypical images:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/14/nyregion/14shush.html?ref=nyregion
“Not typically ones to raise their voices, librarians staged an overnight read-in on the steps of the Brooklyn Public Library on Grand Army Plaza to criticize the city’s plan to close 40 branches by month’s end, and to reduce hours and employees at those that remain.”
The event’s slogan, “We will not be shushed,” sure didn’t help…

By: Neysa

Neysa — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:36:16 +0000

There’s an old 1932 Barbara Stanwyck movie entitled, “Forbidden,” in which a librarian (complete with horn rim glasses) runs away from her dull life and goes to the big city where she lands a job working on a newspaper and then becomes the life-long mistress, but never wife, to a well-connected executive who ends up becoming governor. (Sad ending, but I won’t spoil it for anyone who desires to see this Pre-Code flick). So we can see that the stereotypes perpetuated in motion pictures go way back in movies, too. Time to change this perception!

By: Missu

Missu — Mon, 31 May 2010 05:55:51 +0000

Great story! I am a MLS student and I get nothing but weird looks and librarian stereotypes when I tell people what I am going to school for. The other day I was having my eyes checked to see if I would be able to get LASIK eye surgery; I told the doctor that I was only interested in the particular kind of LASIK that is safer (because there are two kinds, etc.) and he said that of course I was since I was a “conservative librarian.” Just rediculous. Oh and this comment was in addition to the exaggerated “shhhhh!” he gave me after I told him what I was going to school for.

By: Kathy Dempsey

Kathy Dempsey — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:42:30 +0000

me too! the fact that she allowed that to be created, with those clothes and the “shushing action,” turned me off to Nancy Pearl forever. she is not doing us any favors!!

By: Marie L. Radford

Marie L. Radford — Fri, 28 May 2010 08:25:49 +0000

Hy Joye,
Wonderful! I may seek permission to use this the next time I speak on this topic!!! Thanks for sending.

By: Marie L. Radford

Marie L. Radford — Fri, 28 May 2010 08:23:50 +0000

Neysa,
Sorry to hear you are leaving the field. These are dark days for librarians and unfortunately many excellent, dedicated, and forward-looking people are making this difficult choice. Is a tragedy for our field for most of them will not return.

By: Marie L. Radford

Marie L. Radford — Fri, 28 May 2010 08:22:01 +0000

Yes, I totally agree.

By: Marie L. Radford

Marie L. Radford — Fri, 28 May 2010 08:20:50 +0000

I think the Nancy Pearl action figure did much more harm than good.

By: Marie L. Radford

Marie L. Radford — Fri, 28 May 2010 08:19:45 +0000

Yes, and there is Conan the Librarian too. Check out the male librarian in “Sophie’s Choice.” He embodies the male stereotype.