Fifty Shades had more non users coming into my library than before
purely to ask about it - and it was brilliant that they took it for
granted that the library would have copies and staff wouldn't bat an
eyelid at the request
Karen
Karen Newton
Manager
Health, Housing and Adult Services
Sunderland City Council
0191 561 3495
www.Sunderland.gov.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: Library and Information Professionals
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Parker, Amanda
Sent: 24 January 2013 17:07
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject:
Mobeena you are a hero! Whole heartedly agree with you : )
Sent from my iPhone
On 24 Jan 2013, at 16:34, "Mobeena Khan"
<[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]
.UK>> wrote:
It's not really about accepting a viewpoint that isn't traditional - a
lot of public librarians aren't doing the roles that they started out or
intended doing. A lot of us don't have library degrees - we've gained
experience on the job and worked towards qualifications. We're taught
how to make judgements as to what material is suitable and where
suitable material can be found. It's not just a case of typing
something into Google and hoping we strike it lucky.
It shouldn't be about comparing librarians to surgeons or lawyers - no,
we may not be performing open heart surgery, but finding out information
for someone on forced marriages might just have a bearing on their life.
As does helping people connect with families or relations through social
media or doing administrative things like showing someone where or how
to apply for a disabled parking badge. Yes, libraries need to change
and modernise, of course they do. But trained library staff should be a
part of that change and modernisation. How on earth are volunteers held
accountable for things like confidentiality or data protection?
I don't agree with your assertion that people don't spend time with
public library staff. I've watched whole families develop and seen
children who I spoke to for the Summer Reading Challenge go off to
university. I know other staff members who have developed relationships
with "regulars"; whose children have informed us of their deaths and how
important a part of their lives we were. For some people, we're the only
positive contact they get throughout the day.
You speak of "Fifty Shades of Grey" as if it's the only type of fiction
that public libraries offer - it isn't. And offering Fifty Shades of
Grey is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of as it is what members of the
public wish to read. Public libraries aren't in the business of
disparaging people's book choices. Our ethos is to serve all members of
our community and that is what we strive to do.
I think this comment really killed it for me -
"But all I've read so far indicates a collection of very nice
professionally qualified people, who can be a teensy bit precious!"
We're not being precious. We're fighting for our livelihoods and for a
set of core beliefs that many of us hold very dear. It's a shame that
other people in our profession are clinging on to this outmoded view of
public libraries and what they offer.
Mobeena Khan
Stock & Reader Development Librarian, West Area, Libraries, Culture and
Learning
Watford Central Library, Hempstead Road, Watford, Herts, WD17 3EU
t: 01923 334680 Comnet / Internal: 29480 Mobile: 07584 521706
Working hours - Wednesday, 1pm-5pm, Thursdays and Fridays, 9am-5pm
hertsdirect<http://www.hertsdirect.org/> / twitter
<http://twitter.com/hertscc> / facebook
<http://www.facebook.com/Hertsdirect>
Hertfordshire - County of Opportunity
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