tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7712691004606697372.post189722029025003664..comments2023-10-01T07:10:05.275+11:00Comments on ALIA Sydney: Don't Judge a Librarian by its CoverALIA Sydneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13177121254144340266noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7712691004606697372.post-16793039679469729622013-07-02T10:39:01.640+10:002013-07-02T10:39:01.640+10:00A very interesting topic of discussion with a numb...A very interesting topic of discussion with a number of points to ponder. Now, I actually have the opposite problem age-wise, although I am also 5'4" (well okay 5'3" actually) which probably exacerbates matters :). I have heard it said that students don't want to come into a library and find "grey-haired middle aged librarians" on the Desk. Do they care what colour my hair is (or that it used to be brown before I started working here!!)? Personally, in over 30 years in the profession, I have never been able to put my finger on exactly what combination makes a librarian approachable or not, but my secret feeling is that "the eyes have it". There is something a client senses in the 'smile' or the interest or the intelligence that can be seen in your eyes when you catch their glance that I think may be indefinable but very genuine (or not, as the case may be). I think you all sound like wonderful, helpful and knowledgeable librarians. I think you should all just keep on being yourselves, and in case you might also like it, here is my Librarian's Motto of some 30 years to share with you: "Wear strong shoes, keep kind eyes, and remember how big the sky is". And long live the librarian who cares enough to wonder about these things :) CMBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7712691004606697372.post-73892994001177814512013-07-01T23:38:39.158+10:002013-07-01T23:38:39.158+10:00I've been exactly where you are. The "se...I've been exactly where you are. The "senior" person (circulation clerk) would refer the patron to the "librarian" (me) and the patron would always end up verifying my answers/info. with the "senior" person. This too shall pass...these days, I'm tickled when someone asks my colleagues if they could speak with the "blonde librarian"--my hair is actually white:)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13712624784315846687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7712691004606697372.post-16401552393818596582013-06-29T14:41:17.622+10:002013-06-29T14:41:17.622+10:00Love it and yes the rule book should go out the wi...Love it and yes the rule book should go out the window. I've even found vendors treating me differently because of my age. Sometimes they comment on it and other times they seem to speak to everyone in the room but me (which I find especially amusing when I'm the one making the decision).Karen Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00261915022278502034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7712691004606697372.post-26010233564008734442013-06-26T22:44:34.165+10:002013-06-26T22:44:34.165+10:00Thanks Mal. The "rules" are a bit suspec...Thanks Mal. The "rules" are a bit suspect.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10429268766621118645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7712691004606697372.post-63563751391662509012013-06-25T20:00:44.472+10:002013-06-25T20:00:44.472+10:00Ignore all rules. Especially those listed in libra...Ignore all rules. Especially those listed in library journals.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04571161252530964470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7712691004606697372.post-86592658458958709702013-06-25T11:06:52.669+10:002013-06-25T11:06:52.669+10:00I'm with you, Dimity! I look younger than my a...I'm with you, Dimity! I look younger than my age too. It probably doesn't help that I'm 5'4. I worked at an academic library and, although I've been told I'm very approachable, I'm not quite sure *why* I am. I think I wore jeans to that job twice, with nice shoes and tops. Dressing as a professional may not help with the "approachable" problem but it definitely makes a difference to being taken seriously, in my experience. "Don't look down" is interesting. <br />And I've definitely had the experience where they ask to speak to someone more senior... only to have the more senior lady tell the patron exactly what I'd just said.Julia Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05663035052450460855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7712691004606697372.post-65904021552501267892013-06-25T10:56:45.153+10:002013-06-25T10:56:45.153+10:00Fantastic post Dimity! I'd be interested to kn...Fantastic post Dimity! I'd be interested to know if you notice a difference between days when you dress more formally and those when you dress in jeans. I worked in one academic library where we dressed like the students, and now work in one where I'm expected to wear corporate attire - I wonder if I seem less approachable now?Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04213669449598440494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7712691004606697372.post-30033925900728753652013-06-25T10:48:47.135+10:002013-06-25T10:48:47.135+10:00This is great Dimity! I understand completely, and...This is great Dimity! I understand completely, and was often mistaken for a student or my answers not taken as seriously because of my perceived age/experience. So frustrating.<br />PS: I'm wearing bright red today..ha!Miahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11719885761437611314noreply@blogger.com