MessageI think this is rather defeatist.
We need always to portray the most modern, switched on, challenging, relevant and exciting image we can, and change people's stereotypes. Lets not be timid mice but challenge what people say and think. You could have responded to the chap on the plane by telling him what you profession does and contributes, and the international flavor of the role.
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----- Original Message -----
From: JACKIE FISHLEIGH
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 10:57 AM
Subject: Re: LIS Gazette
oh dear. I think we just have to look beyond the stereotype. On a recent flight back from an international law librarians conference in S Africa I got chatting to a fellow passenger about various places we had visited. "For a librarian you certainly get around" was his comment.
After much inner debate I decided not to rise to this and just chuckled away to myself....
Forget what other people may think and just channel your energies into doing the best job you can. Most professions have some sort of image and many have a much much worse one than ours.
Jackie Fishleigh
Librarian
Payne Hicks Beach
Lincoln's Inn
London
WC2A 3QG
-----Original Message-----
From: Hixon, Beverley C [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 16 January 2004 10:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: LIS Gazette
Something that struck me forcibly about LIS Gazette was that the very first job ad. showed the stereotypical image of a sour-faced woman librarian saying ssssh.
The ad copy was all about how Staffordshire libraries are so forward-looking they wouldn't employ this person. The sub-text is that of course every other library service in the country is full of people like this. And in any case it's the image that makes the instant impression.
I know it's probably written by an agency and it's supposed to be humorous but how can we show so little respect for our own profession?
Beverley Hixon
Campus Library Supervisor
Michael Way Library
Imperial College
Silwood Park
ASCOT
Berkshire SL5 7PY
Tel: 01491 829115
Mailto:[log in to unmask]
