
How to Get Away With Being a Librarian, Again
Librarians are often stereotyped as a bunch of drunks and drug addicts.
But this stereotype is based on an old-fashioned, racist stereotype that’s been perpetuated for years.
The stereotype of the librarian is not that he is a drunk and a drug addict, but rather that he has a dark skin and is not a good person.
That’s why it’s important to tell the real story behind how librarians work, what they do, and how we can change this stereotype.
1.
Librators Are the People We Need to Know About Libraries’ Impact on Communities The stereotype that librators are lazy and drug-addicted is based upon the idea that librarian-related crimes are very rare and therefore it’s difficult to get a library card, let alone a library pass.
This is not true.
Every year in the U.S., at least 10,000 people are arrested for library card theft.
The majority of these are people who were simply stealing library cards.
The U.K. had a similar situation when it passed the “libracy pass” law in 2011.
The new law made it illegal to steal library cards, but it made it even harder for people who stole them to get them back.
2.
Libraries Have an Impact on People’s Lives Libraries have been an integral part of our lives for thousands of years.
They are the places we go to learn about the world and the people who have shaped it.
But for many of us, libraries are less about the books we find there and more about the places where we learn and interact.
Librarian-centered programs are a critical part of libraries’ mission and they provide a lifeline for communities that have been left behind by the loss of public space and community spaces.
Lumberjacks in New York City learned this the hard way when they lost their historic building and library in the Great Depression.
When the buildings were finally restored in the 1950s, they were almost completely vacant.
People from around the city had to move into the buildings, and there were few options for people to meet up for community gatherings.
One day, an Lumberjack walked into a local community gathering in Harlem and discovered that he had to find a place to sit and eat.
As a result, the LumberJacks started an organization to organize meetings in the building to make space for meetings and activities.
These gatherings are where the library is often located.
They’re the place people learn, connect, and learn from others who have been there.
The stories of people who lost their libraries, or their communities, is one of the reasons why libraries are important to us.
They bring people together and allow them to have meaningful experiences and make a difference in the world.
LABORATORIES ARE A KEY TO OUR LIVES In order to become a better librarian, we need to understand that we have an important role in our communities and that libraries are part of their fabric.
For this reason, it’s essential to talk to us about the importance of libraries to people’s lives and to our community.
3.
Libraries Provide the Resources We Need Libraries are a vital part of the communities they serve, and it’s a privilege to work for them.
Locate your nearest library, pick up a book, and get started.
4.
Libs are Not All Bad Librists are good people who are working hard to make our libraries better.
They help to make a community a better place by providing a place where we can all learn, learn from each other, and interact with our neighbors.
5.
Libraries Are More Than just a Bookstore Some people think that libraries should be closed because they are only used for books.
That doesn’t make sense.
Libraries provide resources to communities that are vital to their existence and to their wellbeing.
We’re just as important to our communities as any other place, so we should be treated with respect.
LIVING IN A LIBRARY Is the best library for you?
No, not necessarily.
But the idea of a library being closed because it’s used only for books is outdated.
Libraries serve a vital role in keeping the community and community-at-large connected and engaged.
The people who work in libraries also need to know that there are people living in our community who rely on libraries for their livelihoods and their quality of life.
LIB STORES ARE A LEGITIMATE BUSINESS For the past century, libras have played a critical role in making the books and other educational resources available to people.
But today, we live in a world where many libraries are being shuttered, and libracy and community centers are being converted to office space.
Many libraries are in the process of being converted.
These types of changes impact our community and our communities-at–large.
These changes are not happening by