The reaction to the Times comment piece (in no way a "leading
article") shows how much is lost in the transfer from the
printed page to the electronic text. A glance at the hard copy
makes it clear immediately that this is very much a
tongue-in-cheek piece. The display box and the caricature (not
altogether unflattering) give us strong non-verbal cues as to
the way the text should be read and responded to. These cues
are completely absent from the web version. This piece is in
no way a serious comment, although the writer implies in the end
that he (if he is in fact male) approves of the appointment of a
professional librarian. Yes, one could wish that the same old
tired stereotypes hadn't been dragged out again, but the very
fact of this appointment, and its attendant publicity does
strike a small blow against such stereotyping. And when was
the last time any librarian had the distinction of being
caricatured in the Times?
The appointment board is to be congratulated on resisting
the pressure (and one suspects there was some) to appoint a
professional administrator rather than a professional librarian.
I'm sure I am not the only member of the profession to have been
angered by the widespread assumption over recent months that
this post could not be held by a mere librarian, but that a BBC
cast-off would be more suitable. Now that the precedent has
been set, it is to be hoped that it will be respected. As we
all know, there are, at the top of our profession, many very
able men and women quite capable of performing at the highest
level.
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David Salter Phone: 01392 263876
Associate Librarian (IT) Fax: 01392 263871
Exeter University Library &
Information Service Internet:[log in to unmask]
Stocker Road
Exeter
EX4 4PT
U.K.
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