Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Hip Librarians

Hey all my librarian or soon-to-be librarian friends! I knew you were smart, funny and kind, but I didn't know you were ultra-hip and possibly tattooed, too. My friend Julie sent me this article from the New York Times, called A Hipper Crowd of Shushers.

I thought the article was kind of fun, and I was interested in hearing reasons people give about why they became librarians, and about how the profession has changed. I love that one woman said she became a librarian because it “combined a geeky intellectualism” with information technology skills and social activism. And I didn't know there was a comic about librarians called "Unshelved". I'll have to look it up.

But I object to the term "shushers". What's that about?

13 comments:

Melwyk said...

"Shushers" -- I know! Grr. But the article was pretty interesting; the only thing I wondered was whether any of these hip people read books... :)
"Unshelved" is pretty funny. Very true to the public library experience, scarily enough.

Bookfool said...

Because librarians are known more for telling people to be quiet than for their intellectual superpowers? I've seen Unshelved cartoons at the library - totally cute.

Bookfool said...

Oh, and sorry about the fruit thing. Hope the kids didn't make too big a mess. :)

maggie moran said...

I enjoyed the article (read it earlier at another blog) and it soumds like an updated salon. Wouldn't that be fun, sit around and talk about books over drinks.

Hey, wait a minute, don't we call that a book club meeting? :D

julie said...

I have often thought about studying library science, but am I hip enough?

Gentle Reader said...

melanie--I thought the article had some interesting stuff in it--websites I hadn't heard of, etc. I've never seen "Unshelved" but I'll have to find it. But I'm with you on the grrr...

bookfool--I guess that's why they're calling them shushers but I think it's a ridiculous nickname. And no worries on the fruit thing--it was actually cute!

maggie--Hey, you're right! I like anything that's like a salon. That's why I love my book club so much :)

julie--I was wondering the same thing about myself :)

Anonymous said...

I saw this article and sent the link to my mother who works for a library. She's not a librarian herself but thought it was entertaining. She also said they haven't hired any librarians with tattoos and such but they have been hiring a lot of younger ones lately.

Bellezza said...

It's ("shushers") not about YOU; it must be about the witches at OUR public library. Who take it as a personal affront if someone whispers, let alone checks out a book.

Gentle Reader said...

matt--Like your mom, I thought the article was entertaining--and I thought it had some interesting links that I want to check out. Has your mom seen the "Unshelved" comic? I haven't, but it sounds funny...

bellezza--maybe all these hip, young librarians will take over your public library, too, and there will be no more "shushing"!

Stephanie said...

I love it!! If I could go back in time, I'd probably BE a librarian!! There isn't a better place to spend a day than a library!

Gentle Reader said...

stephanie--I feel the same way. I don't rule it out completely, either, even now. The same way I don't rule out owning a bookstore some day. We can dream, can't we?

Bookfool said...

Yes, it's silly to focus on the shushing part instead of the obvious bookish side of being a librarian!

So glad the kids didn't do any damage. Did you take pictures?

Gentle Reader said...

bookfool--I wish I had taken pictures--I need to be quicker on the draw for things like that! Maybe next time I'll catch them in action :)