Well, first of all, let me be perfectly clear! I am still a lowly library clerk, a top notch office manager, and a good MLS student -- I am not yet a librarian! But I already know that TODAY at least I don't much feel like a librarian. Today I want to wear long flowing skirts, sparkly sweaters, and large swaying earrings. I want to dance around the floor in red shoes. I want to sing "Happy Holiday" to those stepping off the elevator. I want to pass out chocolate bells and striped candy canes and giggle as the fifteenth child come by in pipe cleaner antlers. I want to tour the Internet stations and kick off anyone who is not shopping or emailing Aunt Bertha (ok I guess you can finish that term paper) and send them outside to go caroling or tree trimming.
(I want to smile merrily at the grumblers who cannot wait five minutes for use of that same Internet.) I do not want to say SSSHHHH!
No, I do not just want to goof off because it is Christmas. I want to celebrate with my extended library family. I want to share cheer at the same time I am celebrating the availability of information! I do not want to get bogged down into a stereotype that says to project professionalism I must remain somber, quiet, and unobtrusive. I am afraid!
Will I be able to project my own image and still get a job? Or should I hide my light under the proverbial basket until hired? How does one seek out a job opportunity where the library team believes in enjoying themselves and their work? Does this attitude mean I should limit myself to working with children or young adults?
Do you have any "outside of the image" experiences you can share with me so I can find my way?
Don't Lose These Links!
http://www.librarian-image.net/
http://welldressedlibrarian.blogspot.com/
Read the hilarious posting about hiring work study students.
http://stereotype-librarian.blogspot.com/
http://www.msdewey.com/
The new cyber librarian that helps you search. Type in Librarian Stereotypes for more links and see the newest "image" in search!
1 comment:
You know what? You should just be yourself, and if that means dancing around in red shoes, so be it. Personally I tend to be different outside of work - I sometimes do fall into the "act professional" trap, but sometimes, it's just fun to be different! (That's why I like halloween, for instance. I feel freer to do something different. . . )
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