Image of library workers
We welcome your comments on the image of library workers as portrayed in this show.
18 Responses to “Image of library workers”
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We welcome your comments on the image of library workers as portrayed in this show.
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October 23rd, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Having seen some trailers and read a few reviews from previews, there does seem to be one critical ‘character’ missing … the one with the viking helmet that gets on famously well with library patrons and fellow workers, but does appear to make a habit of upsetting line managers. Probably will be written into the script for the second season, I guess.
October 25th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
I am soooooo looking forward to this series, they’ve got the characters down pretty well that I can tell…for me I like to drive a fast car in high heels to combat the stayed Librarian label..it is working pretty well so far!
October 26th, 2007 at 9:22 am
I find it quite amusing that ALIA has episodes of the Librarians listed in the events sections of their website. I didn’t realise a comedy, which doesn’t sound as if it is portraying librarians in a particularly admirable light, would be being promoted as an “Event”. Hmmmmm?
October 29th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
READY THE LIBRARIAN IMAGE COUNTER OFFERS
I am also worried that though this is a satire that just happens to be in a library, some of the tarnish may stick onto the librarian profession and I would like us to be ready with some counter offers for the image of the librarian.
There are and have been fantastic stories about librarians (within InCite), the types of programs they are developing and their strong social reasons for doing them. Could we profile one or two under the name “The Librarians” or “The real Librarians” for each week of the program. We would want to make sure that when the Librarians is googled the ALIA sponsored image of “The Librarian” also comes up, we could even add images to Flickr or a podcast to You Tube. Maybe the ABC would be kind enough to link to us.
I think that this program will set tongues wagging about librarians and that we should take the initiative to use the interest created to be pro-active in promoting our image to the wider public. It is interesting to have internal discussion in library world about the program but it would be good to see a focused public interface also. I’d be happy to help in anyway…
October 29th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
I’m sorry, I think we should be able to laugh at the show and the ’send up’ of our profession because there really is so much to laugh at in our day to day lives in the library.
…And I’m so sick of this talk about our ‘image’, what about the image that we drink great wine, eat cake at any oppurtunity and wear great shoes? That one sticks as far as I’m concerned!
October 30th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
I agree with Beck. The fun police seem to be out in force at the moment! We can’t even promote the Librarians at our public library for fear of offending our local Muslim community! Its just a comedy people!
October 30th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
I reckon we are lucky to have a sterotype to take the mick out of. I think we have come of age if the ABC thinks we are a recognisable brand that you can make a comendy out of. The last ABC effort on us was the do gooding Lizzie the Librarian. I often wished her mobile library van ran over her or a fed up brown snake bit her when she was being a complete wooser in the outback but no such luck. I hope that AL aka the Annoyed Librarian will be tuning in to send up the pious comments aobut our image and the earnestness of Meredith Farkas and her ilk about the whole affair. The funniest thing I recently read was AL doing a number on the Library 2 Manifesto. Yes I am an unabashed aAL groupie.
Be proud of your stereotype as it least we are portrayed as scholarly and intelligent in our buns , flat shoes and twinsets. From the actKM conference, The knowledge managers would be happy to have a such a brand image as they are still floundering to find their place in the sun.
October 31st, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Right on Beck ! If anything it might raise the profile of libraries a little and add a little fun into the day
October 31st, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Well number me one of the fun police!
That was the most pitiful piece of tripe I have seen since the eighties when I was restricted to country television and Hey Hey it’s Saturday was deemed quality viewing.
Such superb one-dimensional characters- the writers must have hit themselves in the head repeatedly with a hammer to regress to creating such crude cariciatures.
I could give a toss about the ‘image’ of librarians- I am secure in my identity which is not defined by my profession.
I find it more disturbing that anyone thinks that racism is funny.
Apalling
November 1st, 2007 at 8:58 am
It’s not that racism is funny, it’s that she is funny for being racist. It’s a black comedy, like Black Books. The funny/scary thing about it is I’ve known people like that.
November 1st, 2007 at 9:39 am
MM -
I wouldn’t number you one of the “fun police” more as one of the “fun angry mob with pitchforks”.
It is not fair to criticise people who like TL through the vague haze of racism isn’t funny so if you laugh at TL you think it is.
“I find it more disturbing that anyone thinks that racism is funny”
I think what is being said in the above statement is that TL is saying that racism is funny.
TL didn’t say “ha-ha Muslim people” it said “ha people being uncomfortable and prejudiced about Muslim people”
Racism isn’t funny. Mocking racists is because racism is wrong and racists need a good mocking in the hope they will stop you know… being racist.
Some could call it satirical.
Satire, from my extensive research
means is a literary genre, chiefly literary and dramatic, in which human or individual vices, follies, abuses, or shortcomings are held up to censure by means of ridicule, derision, burlesque, irony, or other methods, sometimes with an intent to bring about improvement.
SO, I find anyone who thinks that anyone being satirical about racism is disturbing, disturbing.
I look forward to TL next week, and am super glad of the creators for making a show about our funny profession.
Lucy in the corner
November 1st, 2007 at 10:23 am
After reading the implausible plot I was a bit dubious, but I gave it a go anyway and watched about 15 minutes last night. Basically I didn’t find it funny at all - crass humour. I switched off after the `husband in the shower’ scene. I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t pulled. Bring back Summer Heights High… PLEASE
The writers hadn’t really done much research - someone with an impending drug conviction probably wouldn’t make it through any of the reference checks that a Council employer would make, and the postie doing community work was a little too implausible as well - writers are obviously unaware that a lot of cash transactions happen in municiple libraries (residents paying rates & dog licences etc.). Frances is a one dimensional caricature of the stereotype that the general public have about Librarians.
November 1st, 2007 at 1:27 pm
I REALLY don’t think you should even have Black Books and The Librarians in the same sentence! Dylan Moran is a comedic genius- The Librarians was transparent, infantile drivel (I mean poo jokes?).
AND I think the people with pitchforks are those who rioted on the beach in Sydney and the (unfortunately) average listener of talkback radio.
Hey, I like quality humour I just think this show fell short of satisfying either quality or humour.
November 1st, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Hi all,
The ALIA LibTech elist is having any equally interesting debate: I am copying my emails to this blog for discussion, my second email contains an idea that from feedback I am receiving would be a good idea to consider for your libraries.
1. I thought it was sooo funny - not roll on the floor type - but still I will watch it again. I must say I have worked with a Frances type - not quite that bad - but she did exist…
As for the show creating the idea - or perpetuating it - that all staff who work in libraries are ‘Librarians’, this is not so uncommon, I have often overheard clients refer to me as ‘that librarian said’ because they do not understand the finer points. That is the way we are often seen and maybe something that could be altered - but will our clients care?
2. Just a few more thoughts:-
If those of us who are offended - and I can see where the show can do that - complain to the ABC, then we could just be perpetuating (my word of the day
the preconceived notion that all librarians/library staff are uptight, straight laced people with no sense of humour - this being an image library professionals have been trying to eradicate.
Instead may be something positive can be taken from this and each library could put a display up along the lines of:
Meet ‘Our’ Librarians - where pictures of staff are rotated with things like their official title/qualifications what they do at the library etc and maybe something fun and hip about their personal life they would not mind sharing eg, love bunging jumping etc. This way you may educate some while saying don’t judge we are fun too.
But remember this is a satirical show and sometimes to make people think you have to be blatantly and painfully obvious - in regards to how the Muslims are treated we all know this is wrong and disgusting, because we are educated, caring people, but not everyone is and sometimes they need a metaphorical slap in the face.
November 2nd, 2007 at 3:35 pm
I have worked in libraries since 1981.
Over time, I have actually met librarians with character traits undoubtedly much more extreme than those depicted in the show. Unfortunately, Librarians are not immune from being insensitive, bigoted, bullying and condescending to the public and workmates.
These are traits we all have to work hard to control. If the Librarians program (it will get better I’m sure!) holds some sort of mirror up to the profession, then bring it on!
I cringe when I think that the public will watch the Librarians and say “oh, he must be modelled on the man at….(Insert Library here)!
November 5th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Dear, dear, get a grip people…if you don’t like it don’t watch it! I think they can go a lot harder actually, as the writers appear to be tripping around the edges a little. I can relate to many things the characters said, I’ve heard them or seen them in ‘real life’. I wouldn’t say it is as close as Frontline was to Journalists on the first episode but I am sure they’ll warm up and I’ll end up on my couch cringing in a ball because what I’m seeing is too close to reality! Have to agree with Pseudonym’s comments and remember, we can change our ‘image’ by our behaviour.
November 22nd, 2007 at 2:50 pm
I am almost embarrassed to admit that I work in a library after seeing such a portrayal of libraries and library staff. I know we have a reputation for being boring, but talk about going the other way.
November 30th, 2007 at 8:22 am
I must admit that the script and characters are a little disappointing, and boy, did the last episode cross some boundaries! Whatever you think of TL, it has got people talking and we all know “There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.”