NMRT (New Members Round Table)

Hello everyone!

My name is Beth Jarrell, and I am a co-chair of the Online Programs Committee. This year, the Online Discussion Committee and Online Programs committees have merged into one big, fabulous committee. Each month we will be posting discussion questions on various topics, some silly, some serious, all about librarianship! These posts are designed to encourage discussion among colleagues in a fun, casual environment.

For our first post, we're going to start with something fun: what is your favourite (or least favourite) stereotype of librarians and library workers in pop culture? Do you think these media examples help the profession, or hurt it? 

We hope you will join in on the discussion right here in the ALA Connect forum- just hit the reply button to share your thoughts. 

Hi Beth,

Great question!  In general, I think many librarians are portrayed on screen as being reserved and hiding behind stacks of books.  They are often portrayed as shushing patrons and trying to maintain sterile, quiet environments.  In earning my LIS degree, I learned that in many cases, quite the opposite is true.  Programming and increasing community engagement in library events is a huge part of a librarians work, particularly in public libraries.  This requires generating excitement and interacting with the public, not hiding behind stacks.  The stereotype of the stodgy librarian may make for some funny scenes in movies or tv shows, but I don't think it captures the essence of the profession as it is in the 21st century.  Being social can be a very important part of many LIS jobs!

Hello everyone!

My name is Beth Jarrell, and I am a co-chair of the Online Programs Committee. This year, the Online Discussion Committee and Online Programs committees have merged into one big, fabulous committee. Each month we will be posting discussion questions on various topics, some silly, some serious, all about librarianship! These posts are designed to encourage discussion among colleagues in a fun, casual environment.

For our first post, we're going to start with something fun: what is your favourite (or least favourite) stereotype of librarians and library workers in pop culture? Do you think these media examples help the profession, or hurt it? 

We hope you will join in on the discussion right here in the ALA Connect forum- just hit the reply button to share your thoughts. 

Hello everyone!

My name is Beth Jarrell, and I am a co-chair of the Online Programs Committee. This year, the Online Discussion Committee and Online Programs committees have merged into one big, fabulous committee. Each month we will be posting discussion questions on various topics, some silly, some serious, all about librarianship! These posts are designed to encourage discussion among colleagues in a fun, casual environment.

For our first post, we're going to start with something fun: what is your favourite (or least favourite) stereotype of librarians and library workers in pop culture? Do you think these media examples help the profession, or hurt it? 

We hope you will join in on the discussion right here in the ALA Connect forum- just hit the reply button to share your thoughts. 

My friend sent me a FB reel earlier this year where a librarian was gifted a cardigan from other library employees, and I love that stereotype! I currently have 2 cardigans on my chair and 3 on a coat rack :)

Hello everyone!

My name is Beth Jarrell, and I am a co-chair of the Online Programs Committee. This year, the Online Discussion Committee and Online Programs committees have merged into one big, fabulous committee. Each month we will be posting discussion questions on various topics, some silly, some serious, all about librarianship! These posts are designed to encourage discussion among colleagues in a fun, casual environment.

For our first post, we're going to start with something fun: what is your favourite (or least favourite) stereotype of librarians and library workers in pop culture? Do you think these media examples help the profession, or hurt it? 

We hope you will join in on the discussion right here in the ALA Connect forum- just hit the reply button to share your thoughts. 

My friend sent me a FB reel earlier this year where a librarian was gifted a cardigan from other library employees, and I love that stereotype! I currently have 2 cardigans on my chair and 3 on a coat rack :)

Hello everyone!

My name is Beth Jarrell, and I am a co-chair of the Online Programs Committee. This year, the Online Discussion Committee and Online Programs committees have merged into one big, fabulous committee. Each month we will be posting discussion questions on various topics, some silly, some serious, all about librarianship! These posts are designed to encourage discussion among colleagues in a fun, casual environment.

For our first post, we're going to start with something fun: what is your favourite (or least favourite) stereotype of librarians and library workers in pop culture? Do you think these media examples help the profession, or hurt it? 

We hope you will join in on the discussion right here in the ALA Connect forum- just hit the reply button to share your thoughts. 

Hello everyone!

My name is Beth Jarrell, and I am a co-chair of the Online Programs Committee. This year, the Online Discussion Committee and Online Programs committees have merged into one big, fabulous committee. Each month we will be posting discussion questions on various topics, some silly, some serious, all about librarianship! These posts are designed to encourage discussion among colleagues in a fun, casual environment.

For our first post, we're going to start with something fun: what is your favourite (or least favourite) stereotype of librarians and library workers in pop culture? Do you think these media examples help the profession, or hurt it? 

We hope you will join in on the discussion right here in the ALA Connect forum- just hit the reply button to share your thoughts. 

Hi, Beth!

I love this question and look forward to the future ones as well! I have a little bit of a love-hate relationship with library/librarian stereotypes. Most I think are charming, but the "old lady with a bun and glasses on a string who always shushes people and glares" is my least favorite. It has perpetuated the stereotype that libraries are serious, quiet places (and some still are!) when that's pretty outdated. However, I adore Sylvia Marpole,  the librarian in A Goofy Movie 2, and how they chose to portray her!

Erica

Instruction/Reference Librarian

Colorado Mountain College

Hello everyone!

My name is Beth Jarrell, and I am a co-chair of the Online Programs Committee. This year, the Online Discussion Committee and Online Programs committees have merged into one big, fabulous committee. Each month we will be posting discussion questions on various topics, some silly, some serious, all about librarianship! These posts are designed to encourage discussion among colleagues in a fun, casual environment.

For our first post, we're going to start with something fun: what is your favourite (or least favourite) stereotype of librarians and library workers in pop culture? Do you think these media examples help the profession, or hurt it? 

We hope you will join in on the discussion right here in the ALA Connect forum- just hit the reply button to share your thoughts. 

Hello everyone!

My name is Beth Jarrell, and I am a co-chair of the Online Programs Committee. This year, the Online Discussion Committee and Online Programs committees have merged into one big, fabulous committee. Each month we will be posting discussion questions on various topics, some silly, some serious, all about librarianship! These posts are designed to encourage discussion among colleagues in a fun, casual environment.

For our first post, we're going to start with something fun: what is your favourite (or least favourite) stereotype of librarians and library workers in pop culture? Do you think these media examples help the profession, or hurt it? 

We hope you will join in on the discussion right here in the ALA Connect forum- just hit the reply button to share your thoughts. 

Hello everyone!

My name is Beth Jarrell, and I am a co-chair of the Online Programs Committee. This year, the Online Discussion Committee and Online Programs committees have merged into one big, fabulous committee. Each month we will be posting discussion questions on various topics, some silly, some serious, all about librarianship! These posts are designed to encourage discussion among colleagues in a fun, casual environment.

For our first post, we're going to start with something fun: what is your favourite (or least favourite) stereotype of librarians and library workers in pop culture? Do you think these media examples help the profession, or hurt it? 

We hope you will join in on the discussion right here in the ALA Connect forum- just hit the reply button to share your thoughts. 

Hello everyone!

My name is Beth Jarrell, and I am a co-chair of the Online Programs Committee. This year, the Online Discussion Committee and Online Programs committees have merged into one big, fabulous committee. Each month we will be posting discussion questions on various topics, some silly, some serious, all about librarianship! These posts are designed to encourage discussion among colleagues in a fun, casual environment.

For our first post, we're going to start with something fun: what is your favourite (or least favourite) stereotype of librarians and library workers in pop culture? Do you think these media examples help the profession, or hurt it? 

We hope you will join in on the discussion right here in the ALA Connect forum- just hit the reply button to share your thoughts. 

Hello everyone!

My name is Beth Jarrell, and I am a co-chair of the Online Programs Committee. This year, the Online Discussion Committee and Online Programs committees have merged into one big, fabulous committee. Each month we will be posting discussion questions on various topics, some silly, some serious, all about librarianship! These posts are designed to encourage discussion among colleagues in a fun, casual environment.

For our first post, we're going to start with something fun: what is your favourite (or least favourite) stereotype of librarians and library workers in pop culture? Do you think these media examples help the profession, or hurt it? 

We hope you will join in on the discussion right here in the ALA Connect forum- just hit the reply button to share your thoughts.