Dewey declared librarians should consider themselves professionals (Swigger 314). Librarians, despite this, suffer from status anxiety about the professional state of librarianship. Trait theory, the traditional sociological tool utilized to evaluate the professional status of occupations, has traditionally deemed librarianship to be lacking the attributes that required for professional status, and therefore not a profession, only a semi-profession (Abbot 431). Trait theorists have criticized librarianship for a lack of theoretical knowledge and authoritative service orientation (Nelson 2030). Past librarians have adopted traits of higher professions in the anxious hopes of achieving status (Harris 16). Contemporary librarians have rejected this mimicking of attributes, as it has not advanced the professional value of librarianship, suggesting the style of professionalism advanced by trait theory, is not one that librarians should emulate. Opposed to the core values of librarianship, this style of professionalism has distracted librarians from meaningful work and poses harm to library services, as its authoritative service orientation conflicts with the orientation of libraries (Page 103). Contemporary sociologists and librarians have abandoned trait theory for being outdated in its evaluation of professional status and due to shortcomings inherent in the theory (Birdsall 146). With an anxious focus on status, contemporary librarians argue that librarianship desires public acknowledgment of the value of library work (Page 120). Sociological theory does not determine which occupations enjoy professional status, the public does (Nelson 2031). The path to professional status then, as Birdsall asserts, lies in rejecting tra...
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...ians argue that in its search for professionalism, librarianship desires recognition of the value of the occupation (Page 120). Sociological theory does not determine which occupations enjoy professional status, public perception does (Birdsall 146). Thus the path to increased status lies in building relationships with library users and allowing for greater patron participation in library policy. Contemporary librarians have rejected traditional trait theory approaches to professionalism, eagerly adopted by status anxious librarians in the past, for being opposed to the core values of librarianship and for being outmoded; they suggest instead the path to higher professional status lies in developing stronger relationships with library users and in improving services so librarianship will be valued.
Works Cited
Abbott
Birdsall
Harris
Nelson
Page
Swigger
Librarians are defined as “a person, typically with a degree in library science, who administers or assists in a library.” In truth, they are much more than that. In a recent interview with Traci Glass, the Teen Librarian at the Eugene Public library, we explored her personal story with becoming a librarian, including how it has benefitted and affected her life.
In “Hidden Intellectualism,” Gerald Graff pens an impressive argument wrought from personal experience, wisdom and heart. In his essay, Graff argues that street smarts have intellectual potential. A simple gem of wisdom, yet one that remains hidden beneath a sea of academic tradition. However, Graff navigates the reader through this ponderous sea with near perfection.
Who can resist a book with a chapter titled, "Labia Lumps, Chunky Discharge, and Other Things They Never Taught Me in Library School"? Released this past summer, Revolting Librarians Redux: Radical Librarians Speak Out takes no prisoners as its contributors ponder everything from the backtracking of '60s values by ALA's baby boomers to librarian imagery in erotica. This edited volume is a sequel to a 1972 self-published book titled Revolting Librarians. The original is worth checking out for its historical value alone. The editors of the 2003 volume, Katia Roberto and Jessamyn West gathered essays from ten of the original writers from the 1972 book for this version and it is interesting to see what thirty years has done to these radical librarians.
The focus of this paper is research that has been done in a number of articles about the problem patron specifically the homeless patron. One of the questions that this article is trying to answer is what the needs of the homeless patron are and how libraries can fill those needs. Even though this study is primarily focused on the homeless patron it also examines the emotional labor that librarians go through when they deal with problem patrons. Librarians like other employees who work with the public must put on a professional face when at work. This face was created to hide the more negative reactions that librarians experience when being confronted by an aggressive or annoying ...
Ungar, S. J. (2010). The new liberal arts. In G. Graff, C. Birkenstein, & R. Durst (Eds.). “They say, I say”: The moves that matter in academic writing with readings. (2nd ed.). (pp. 190-197). New York: W. W. Norton. This article looks to prove that liberal arts education is just as valuable as “career education” because contrary to general belief, career education doesn’t guarantee high-paying jobs after they graduate.
As Berry explains, “But whereas specialization is of the nature of the applied sciences, it is a perversion of the disciplines of language and literature. When we understand and teach these as specialties, we submit willy-nilly to the assumption of the "practical men" of business, and also apparently of education, that literacy is no more than an ornament: when one has become an efficient integer of the economy, then it is permissible, even desirable, to be able to talk about the latest novels. After all, the disciples of "practicality" may someday find themselves stuck in conversation with an English teacher.” For example I don’t like biology, but having knowledge in biology won’t hurt it’ll only make the conversation much easier if I meet some one who’s in the medical field. No one wants to look senseless being stuck in a dialogue. Opening up books and having a basic literacy in all areas or subjects will benefit in ones personal and professional existence, so being practical won’t do
Tice, Beth. “Two Hats, One Heart: Confessions of a Split Position Librarian,” Technicalities, Volume 18 Issue 7 (July/August 1998): 4-6.
I am enrolled as a student at Ashford University in the Bachelor of Arts Program. My major is library science and media. My ultimate goal is not to become a teacher, despite the required education courses required to earn this degree. The library science and media major is relevant to my chosen profession because the role of the library is changing and evolving, much like today’s classrooms, with technology. For almost three years, my job title has been library branch manager/library assistant III. I intend to continue in this field with aspirations of being offered a full-time position and/or better pay. I enjoy working for and getting to know the people in the community, who visit the library. Often times, my patrons make me feel more appreciated than those who I employed by. I enjoy helping my patrons find books and movies and assisting them with the computers as they need me. The library is a safe and welcoming environment for all, and I like being part of that.
The article “The North West London Blues” argues that public libraries still remain an important part of the society and should be preserved. There is no doubt that she is, in fact, a part of the minority who has the same opinion due to the reason that most people tend to prefer electronics over physical copy of books, especially the younger ones. Therefore, it is important for the author to use persuasive methods to gain more support. The author, Zadie Smith, uses evidence, reasonings, and stylistic elements in order to gain support.
Strangely, this problem is infrequently discussed when assessing the shortcomings of a troubled library system or other similar organization, in favor of a focus on improving “the bottom line” and
Librarians lament the lack of skills training, but theory is, and must remain, central to LIS. According to Fallis and Fricke, a librarian requires a theoretical graduate-level education, in addition to specific skills.
One of the primary goals behind the creation of public libraries is their expected ability to help minimize the gap between the rich and the poor, or the educated and the illiterate (Jaeger, Gorham, Sarin, & Bertot, 2013). To achieve this, libraries needed to host content that was curated to help provide educational material that also represented the social norms and values (Weigand, 1999). In other words, libraries were expected to serve as the hotspot where the public could educate themselves using resources that were not readily available elsewhere. However, as the history of libraries in the US suggests, the way public libraries provided resource to their users have taken several transformations reflecting the influence not only of those
As Jerry continues to ask Peter multiple questions, one of them consist of “What do you do to support your enormous household?”(32). Peter replies, “I . . . uh . . . I have an executive position with a . . . a small publishing house” (32). Attaining an executive position in publishing textbooks is evidence that Peter has achieved mastery along with achievement. Although Peter fits part of the description to be put on the self-esteem level there is not enough confirmation to verify that Peter is respected or recognized for his position as a publisher.
... to the Library and that have generally been underused resources. B. Greater use of the Library's Capitol Hill facilities by scholars for the kind of interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, multimedia, multilingual, and synthetic writing that is important to Congressional deliberation and national policy-making, but inadequately encouraged both by special interest groups and by advocacy-oriented think tanks; and C. Greater use by the general public through programs that stimulate interest, increase knowledge, and encourage more citizens to use the collections on-site and electronically.”The Library employees will add their position as information guides by “helping more people find appropriate materials in a swelling sea of unsorted information” and directing them to services and resources exclusive to the Library of Congress. This requires not only more growth of employees that the Library has formerly had, but also making it easier in new ways more wide-ranging and “systematic use by researchers of the distinctive materials that only the Library of Congress has.” Courses for the common public, such as displays or publications, must display the importance and value of the collections.
At this point in time the computer was being integrated into organizations, and viewed by many as a boon to information management. While the major use of computers was reserved for technical and science librarians, reference librarians were adopting the use of computers since the amount of material a reference librarian was required to know was becoming impossible to keep up to without a computer’s aid. Librarians were, and still are, expected to be aware of the newest techniques and have the skills to use new technologies on the