Comments on: Laboring Under Misconceptions

By: Brendan

Brendan — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:11:00 +0000

After a decade or so of working in a library as a library assistant, I understand the gripes and complaints from the Librarians with MLS/MLISs who speak out about this.

I think the point, though, is that no one prepared them for it. No one in their library schools or colleges told them or trained them how to handle the regular, mundane situations that arise in libraries (especially public and school libraries).

The problem with a lot of library schools is that they teach the theory and Master’s level work (which I could debate whether this should be masters level or not, but that is another issue altogether), but few (at least from what I hear and have seen at different schools) instruct the would-be librarians in the arts and sciences of day-to-day library operations.

Of course, if we really showed people what librarians deal with every day, there might be a lot less librarians! lol

By: royce

royce — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:10:24 +0000

Nice post Neffsta. It has a lot to do with just being a considerate human being. I remember my first week as a director when the toilet overflowed and I realized that the person who had to clean it up was me. Strangely liberating to roll up the sleeves, grab a plunger, and clear the obstruction.

By: ~Courtney S

~Courtney S — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:48:16 +0000

The things you mentioned are what my coworkers and I call “other duties as assigned” . Sure, those things aren’t in an official job description, but I’m sure there are parts of the job that are enjoyable (or more enjoyable) that aren’t in there too!

By: Richard Neff

Richard Neff — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 05:24:40 +0000

Bravo!! Well said.

By: Jenny Reiswig

Jenny Reiswig — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 03:46:25 +0000

I did choose a career in (biomedical) libraries as opposed to some other health-related field partly because of the reduced chances for having to pick up the substances that issue forth from peoples’ bodies. My first related contribution in my current job was introducing our furniture buyer to “healthcare vinyl” for some of our high-use seating – looks like fabric, cleans like plastic. Learned about that working in hospitals. Seriously, this is an excellent rant – thank you. I’ve been lucky to work with a series of directors who had no tolerance for primadonna behavior.

By: josh

josh — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 03:11:03 +0000

Well, I’m no good for cleaning up puke myself. Other people vomiting engages my own gag relfex something fierce. But regardless, I don’t consider the work beneath me. More like I’m beneath the work, embarrassed by my own weakness around vomit.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 03:07:35 +0000

Sigh, just watch, now that I have said that, some delightful child will spew all over the children’s room this week.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 03:06:44 +0000

Your a better man than me – I’m NOT cleaning up puke from anyone but myself (and that’s hard enough)!