Actually, I didn't get around to sending it but I was going to respond to a
similar message with a suggestion that we get the programme makers to
consider a different type of programme. We have been annoyed at their
portrayal of a traditional information professional - an image that is 30
years out of date!
However, why not use the media to our advantage and get them to make a
series of programmes about breaking down stereotypes? Faking it is about
pretending to be someone else. The programme I am suggesting would look at
traditional stereotypes such as the one we suffer from. Then different
people from the profession could show just how far removed we are from that
stereotype. The role of the librarian has changed beyond all recognition.
30 years ago it was all about books, but like one poster has already said,
books are just a small part of our job these days (if we are lucky). What
do you all think?
Morfydd Price
Putteridge High School
LUTON
>From: Frances Hendrix <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Chartered Library and Information Professionals
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Faking It saga continues!!
>Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 13:52:33 +0100
>
>Kateri makes a useful comment in her last paragraph. Sometimes the
>perception is the reality, and out 'stuffed shirt' 'high horse' response
>to this matter has lived up to our stereotype, and perhaps lack of self
>worth and lack of ability to poke fun at ourselves? Making ourselves
>media smart would be well worth the effort, and probably have lots of
>benefits, we may even get smarter in other respects as a result.
>
>What must the non librarian observers from out side our profession be
>thinking about our reaction to this? I admit when I first read it I
>thought it would be great fun for one of our lively and extrovert
>colleagues to participate, and still think we should have inundated the
>programme makers with loads and loads of really fun, extrovert, amusing
>and dynamic librarians. This would in itself have changed some minds,
>now I fear we have played into their hands.
>f
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Chartered Library and Information Professionals
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kateri Wilson
>Sent: 19 April 2005 12:32
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Faking It saga continues!!
>
>What an exciting read this saga has been.
>
>I was surprised CILIP was going with the original idea since even the
>original description had a hint of
>we-want-someone-really-dull-who-will-blossom-like-a-flower-under-our-con
>trol. Let alone the dependence on books - which I find is an
>increasingly small part of my job. However, it is clear that whoever
>tries to convince you into doing these things has a way with words.
>
>My wonderment is that people believe there is really such a person.
>Perhaps we should be less worried about how they will portray librarians
>(it's clear it will be a stereotypical view) and more concerned with why
>so many people assume this to be a true representation of a whole group
>of people (let alone an accurate view of that individual). Maybe we
>should look at how to make people media smart, rather than try and
>change the TV programmes, after all if they make money they won't be
>pulled.
>
>Kateri Wilson
>
>
>
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