Comments on: Year End, 2012

By: Meg Backus (@megbackus)

Meg Backus (@megbackus) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:04:18 +0000

Conference organizers and presenters: requesting more hard-hitting content sessions covering copyright/reform, open access, and digital content rights, less 50 crafts in 50 minutes for ages 5-50. Seems like a lot of the manners and meekness come from not knowing any better. I’m not insulting anyone’s intelligence, I’m saying when we all get together we have the chance to realign our professional priorities, and good information provides in-roads and on-ramps to these issues, precisely because we’re all plenty smart and capable. More cowbell, you know?

By: Librarianry (@LibrarianRy)

Librarianry (@LibrarianRy) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:10:06 +0000

Regarding “nailing asses to the wall,” I’m just curious if we, as a profession, have ever achieved this?

By: Myra Emmons

Myra Emmons — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 18:01:06 +0000

Hear, hear! I think a knock-down, drag-out fight is long overdue. Librarians have been more than patient, and have worked hard at the ‘let’s help each other’ stance long enough.

I’ve always been in favor of people working together. Now I’m pissed, and ready to fight that smarmy fake “we value libraries” line. What publishers are saying and what they are doing are completely different. Enough already!

Stop putting roadblocks in our path, and face the fact that publishing woes are not the fault of libraries, never have been and never will be.

By: Emily

Emily — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:47:38 +0000

I Concur. More fights.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:38:14 +0000

I, too, long for our profession to stop being so darned polite. The only seat we have at the table is note-taker. While that’s an important role in any meeting, it is also one of received decisions, not decision-making. I’m tired of hearing that all we do is shush people. I’m tired of hearing that all we do is printed books. And, frankly, I’m feeling more than a little burnt out by the long and frustrating hours of trying to teach computer classes to people with IKIA Syndrome (I Know It Already, which they most certainly don’t.). I’m also looking forward to returning to paid employment. Not the kind in which I’m supposed to be excited and grateful to be able to serve all the time, but one which actually pays the bills. Seriously, ALA, if that’s what you think it’s all about for everyone, it’s no wonder that large portions of membership believe you’re out of touch at best, and only looking out for libraries’ interest to boot.

Above all, I’m tired of it being my fault. My fault that someone can’t talk on their cellphone while I’m teaching class. My fault that someone can’t eat their McDonald’s meal over the computers I can’t afford to replace — and then my fault when the inevitable roaches appear for the leftovers. My fault when someone patently unsuited for a class lies and tells me they’re ready for it, thus ruining the learning experience for everyone. My fault when someone reponds to a reasonable request by making a scene or going to my director. My fault when the library can’t afford 25 copies of some piece of software someone believes we should teach (plus the training to learn how it works and the time to write the classes).

Not that there aren’t patrons who appreciate what I do, but they are often drowned out by the people who will never be satisfied with what is there as long as one free possibility remains.

Tired of it all? What was your first clue?