MEDLIB-L selection Oct. 30-31, 2000 2nd part
If you subscribe to MEDLIB-L delete now. This is the selection of
postings on another _New York Times_ article that was found irksome by
some
Contents:
12. Offensive NYT article
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Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 09:49:02 -0500
From: Ellen Rothbaum <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Offensive NYT Article
In Section 3, p 11 of the Sunday NY Times an article titled: My Money, My
Life; The Librarian's Image, Unrevised, by Karen G. Schneider, who seems
to be a public librarian, was printed. This article CELEBRATES the stereo-
typical librarian AND the fact that the profession, especially the public
librarian portion, is underpaid. The column in which this was printed is
one in which people write about their profession.
I am torn between a deafening silence or submitting a column to give a
more balanced view of the profession. I would like to see MLA, ALA, SLA,
and any other librarian organization also write to the NY Times to rebut
what Ms. Schneider wrote.
Ellen
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Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 10:05:34 -0500
From: "Tripp, Tim" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Offensive NYT Article
Having followed Karen's work on other library related lists, and
respecting her views on technology, access to information and professional
responsibility, I had to go find this article and read it for myself.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/29/business/29MYMY.html>
Forgive me, Ellen, but I think you missed the point. Karen states right
from the beginning that public librarianship is in a crisis due to the
fact that the profession is underpaid, and therefore unable to attract new
employees as the demand for our skill set increases. I think she deals
with stereotypes and income issue in a satirical manner that gets the
point across very effectively. Humour can be wonderfully subversive.
The real celebrating done in the article is that this woman knows who she
is, and she is grounded because of it. It's a refreshing view after the
endless navel gazing we fall victim to over our perception and image.
Tim
--
Tim Tripp
Clinical Decision Support, Project Manager
University Health Network
Suite 201, 700 Bay Street
Toronto, ON Canada M5G 1Z6
http://www.uhealthnet.on.ca/
Voice : (416) 340-5266
Fax : (416) 340-3391
Work : [log in to unmask]
Home : [log in to unmask]
http://www.timtripp.com/
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Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 10:02:38 -0600
From: Auburn Steward <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Offensive NYT Article
I don't see it as a celebration of the stereotype as much as a celebration
of satisfaction with her job and her life even if she is underpaid. She
is not a slave to her job in a constant quest to earn a bigger salary and
acquire more things that give her "status" in others eyes. With
understated humor and satire she has made an important point. It is not
how much we make or how much we own that makes our life fulfilling.
Librarians, as well as many others in service professions, are underpaid
but the reward is that of leading a fulfilled life. I personally prefer
to have time to "read the same book twice in the same week" than to have a
six-figure income and all the "status symbols" that go with it.
Thanks for bringing this interesting column to our attention. I'm sure it
will spark some interesting responses!
will spark some interesting responses!
Auburn
Auburn Steward, MLIS, AHIP
Center for Toxicology & Environmental Health
615 W. Markham St.
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-614-2834
501-614-2835 (fax)
[log in to unmask]
http://www.cteh.uams.edu
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Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 13:38:11 -0600
From: Mason Elizabeth <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Offensive NYT Article
I think this is a wonderful article. I make $24 an hour and some of you
may find this a great salary but I choose to live in San Jose, CA where a
2 bedroom, 1 bath house on a not so large lot is selling for $485,000 and
this is the rule not the exception. I started out as a public librarian
and spent about 16 years in Ohio and CA doing a variety of jobs in the
public library arena. She got it right on target except I wear Clarks year
around (no snow so sandals work). I've had 1 raise in the last 7 years
because I am at the top that HCA wants to pay. I chose to be a medical
librarian because I like what I do and I don't mind living in a studio
size cottage in my landlord's back yard (who is the lead in a blues/rock
band - Welcome to CA). I no longer have my TV plugged in to any cable or
antenna so only watch the occasional movie but I sure read a lot of books.
To each their own.
Elizabeth A. Mason, Medical Librarian
Ismael Medical Library
Regional Medical Center of San Jose
225 North Jackson Ave.
San Jose, CA 95116
408-259-5000 x2230
FAX 408-7292881
email: [log in to unmask]
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Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 13:18:37 -0500
From: Harriet Schick <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Offensive NYT Article
I too was dumbfounded is more the word, as was my retired public librarian
friend. Ms Schneider had been at NY's EPA library a few years ago. She is
an author, has written at least one published book, and is tech savvy.
She has/had a regular column in the ALA journal -- and a web site that may
be bluehighway.com or something similar - a search will find it - she has
written many web pages...
Perhaps some direct response are in order.
Harriet
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Harriet Schick, MSLS, AHIP tel: 212.980.5363
400 East 56th Street Suite 23B fax: 212.980.2301
New York, NY 10022 e-mail: [log in to unmask]
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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compiled by Silvia Cantaluppi Patrick [log in to unmask]
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