On Twitter over the last few days I've seen debates over whether people should be actively promoting the library profession. And I have tried to stay out of it, because apparently, unless I'm willing to sing and dance and say how much I just loooooove libraries and the library profession, I'm not allowed to define myself as a librarian, and that pissed me off, which would lead to a more incoherent than normal blog post.
But the whole thing is ridiculous. I'm a librarian, but I don't love "libraries" as a concept. And I'm not an activist, I don't "do" promoting activities for any service other than my own. Yet I remain a librarian, regardless of whether I think libraries are the best thing since sliced bread or not. I did the qualification at University, and I continue to prove my professionalism through my work and the Chartership and Revalidation process: nowhere did I sign a form saying "to be a librarian, you have to do everything someone else thinks you should do".
I've also stayed out of it because I was busy using my free time to live my own life. Why should I be expected, because of the larger profession that I am part of, to promote to others a service I don't use, and never have used, (public libraries - it's never about anything other than public libraries) in order to be able to be accepted as a "proper" librarian? Why can I not just have a job, do it well, make sure my users are happy with what I do for them, and go home at the end of the day, to continue with my own life, without being accused of being lazy? I am involved in plenty of professional activities to aid my peers that I don't shout about - but because I'm not saying "I love libraries" in general, I'm useless? Making sure my service is the best it can be, and I'm doing the best that I can for both my users and my peers should be enough - that is how I advocate. Not by doing what others declare I should be doing.
I don't see what entitles anyone to judge my actions and make sweeping statements, with no knowledge of my circumstances, or what I feel able to do in my own free time.
But the whole thing is ridiculous. I'm a librarian, but I don't love "libraries" as a concept. And I'm not an activist, I don't "do" promoting activities for any service other than my own. Yet I remain a librarian, regardless of whether I think libraries are the best thing since sliced bread or not. I did the qualification at University, and I continue to prove my professionalism through my work and the Chartership and Revalidation process: nowhere did I sign a form saying "to be a librarian, you have to do everything someone else thinks you should do".
I've also stayed out of it because I was busy using my free time to live my own life. Why should I be expected, because of the larger profession that I am part of, to promote to others a service I don't use, and never have used, (public libraries - it's never about anything other than public libraries) in order to be able to be accepted as a "proper" librarian? Why can I not just have a job, do it well, make sure my users are happy with what I do for them, and go home at the end of the day, to continue with my own life, without being accused of being lazy? I am involved in plenty of professional activities to aid my peers that I don't shout about - but because I'm not saying "I love libraries" in general, I'm useless? Making sure my service is the best it can be, and I'm doing the best that I can for both my users and my peers should be enough - that is how I advocate. Not by doing what others declare I should be doing.
I don't see what entitles anyone to judge my actions and make sweeping statements, with no knowledge of my circumstances, or what I feel able to do in my own free time.
Comments
'have a job, do it well, make sure my users are happy with what I do for them'
By making those users happy you're advocating for the profession in the best way you can - you're not just telling them about the benefits of a library & trained librarian, you're giving them the benefits, every day.
I think we need, as a profession, to make sure we're supporting the whole profession - and that includes not getting bogged down in these discussions about who's doing enough advocacy, whether it's the right type of advocacy etc.
What we should be tackling are the people who aren't making the effort to be professional in their work - who coast along and treat users like a nuisance. We know they're not as common as stereotypes would suggest - but they do exist, and they damage the profession.
We know advocacy is important. But we integrate it into our working lives however suits us best. That's what you're doing - and no-one should tell you that's not enough.
I think that is the point that is being made.
I totally agree with Bethan's comment: "What we should be tackling are the people who aren't making the effort to be professional in their work - who coast along and treat users like a nuisance. We know they're not as common as stereotypes would suggest - but they do exist, and they damage the profession." I have (sadly) encountered a number of these in the profession, and it's probably one of the reasons I tend not to be a library user myself. It's also probably one of the reasons that most of my professional activities outside my work are within our professional bodies and through those activities I support continuing professional development both for myself and other members of the profession.
I don't want to get into an argument about semantics of advocacy and activism, or how much time should be spent supporting the profession and how that time should be spent, as I think it's totally dependent on each individual's circumstances.
I'm really glad you've written this post so thoughtfully and I am very proud to be working in a profession with people like yourself.