Yes, I do think we should find out a bit more about this research. We are in danger of laughing because of the way the "meejer" are serving this up.
Might I (as usual) play devil's advocate. The article tells us the consultant interviewed 300 people in five occupations, including librarians - does this mean he interviewed about 60 librarians? Quite a reasonable sample, then? Wouldn't you say it is likely to be more representative than the contributors to this list, for example :-)
"Librarians complained that there was not enough variety in their work, that they did not have enough control over their careers, and they were not allowed to put their skills to full use". I think most of us would admit to having complained at some time along these lines ( - just a teensy bit?). It doesn't require much imagination to realise that for some colleagues this is a big complaint.
Re lack of job satisfaction leading to librarians being absent and taking out frustration on their families, I presume work absence in comparison to other professions can be quantified, and perhaps strife within the family. You could conduct a job satisfaction survey.
The way to prove this research wrong is to conduct a more rigorous and extensive project. On the other hand, it might prove Mr Saddiq (in part at least) right ...
Yours contentiously (I hope!)
Gordon.
Gordon Smith
The Sally Howell Library
Epsom General Hospital
Dorking Road
Epsom, Surrey, KT18 7EG
Tel. 01372-735688, Fax 01372-735687
NULJ=HOWE, HLN=EP
The Master said, "Look at the means a man employs,
observe the basis on which he acts,
and discover where it is that he feels at ease.
Where can he hide? Where can he hide?"
- Analects of Confucius 2.10 (Slingerland)
>>> Roddham Mike <[log in to unmask]> 12/01/2006 11:13:07 >>>
Just for interest, I've e-mailed the author's company and asked what groups
of librarians he actually interviewed. If I get a response I'll let you
know.
Mike Roddham
-----Original Message-----
From: Norrey Barbara (TAG) Braintree Care Trust
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 12 January 2006 10:47
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: funny article in the Times
I would be formulating a wordy response to this issue - except that I am too
busy getting on with and enjoying my job.
Barbara
Barbara Norrey
Library Services Manager
Essex Public Health Resource Unit Library (EPHRU)
Ground Floor
8 Collingwood Road
Witham
Essex
CM8 2TT
www.ephru.nhs.uk
Tel: 01376 302251
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