I think one of the big problems that a lot of libraries face today is stereotyping (actually, that’s probably a big problem with the world today, but that’s a post for another day.) Face it, based on the “common” knowledge of libraries, it’s not exactly the hot spot for anyone. Even if no one has ever stepped foot in a library, somehow, everyone knows what a librarian looks like. You know: the white haired old lady pulled back into a bun, glasses, cardigan speckled with cat hair, severe frown and an exceptional talent for shushing. And the buildings are these huge tombs of knowledge, where the only sound is the typing of keys and turning of pages.
Yeah, while I wouldn’t go so far as to say that scenario doesn’t exist at all, it’s certainly not the majority. Librarians, just like anybody else, come from all walks of life. Some of us are men, some of us are women, some of us are non-binary. Some of us have pink hair, blue hair, blonde hair, black hair. Some of us have full sleeves of tattoos, and some of us don’t. Don’t believe me? Take a look at the tumblr page, This is What a Librarian Looks Like. Those of us in the industry submit pictures and descriptions to show the world just how much of a diverse group we really are! And another thing: for most public libraries, quiet is a thing of the past. We’ve chosen to adapt with the needs of our communities. My community has a large group of stay at home moms with preschool age and younger children. That means storytime, crafts, singing, dancing, and silliness. We have crafty patrons who knit and crochet and come in on Mondays to trade patterns, tips, and a little gossip. We have seniors who are active, but maybe need a little (or a lot of) help getting on the computer or downloading something on their new iPad. And we have tweens and teens who work so hard during the school year, between extra-curricular activities and actual school work, that they deserve every second of their excited screeching over the latest manga and pocky during our monthly manga café. So seriously. It’s on my introduction page, and now it’s right here, on this blog post: visit your local library. See what’s going on. I can almost guarantee there’s going to be something there for you to be excited about. P.S. Yeah. That's a light saber battle from our Star Wars Day celebration. Still think libraries are boring?
0 Comments
|
“Look, I may not be
|