Some more misconceptions about libraries and librarians in 2012:

It's a book!

I think that the biggest misconception people have about libraries is thinking that they are quiet places. I am particularly referring to Public Libraries.

 
Libraries are hives of activity these days. Children's programs are generally noisy with music and laughter and lots of talking.  

Information Desks are the hub of communication in a library. There are a lot of questions asked and answered there, in person and on the telephone. 

Exhibitions, Adult Programs, Author Talks, Demonstrations, guided tours and many other activities provide "noise". 

Discussion groups, reading groups, film groups, writing groups all require people to communicate.

Libraries are evolving. Many now have coffee shops, drop in centres, etc, and noise is part of the atmosphere of libraries.

Mmmmm.... new book

There are still "quieter" rooms, and State Libraries and Special Libraries may have these areas in larger forms as well as schools and universities, but public libraries are just that.....public.


After working in various libraries for over 20 years, and being a member of a library for about forty eight years, I have seen lots of changes. There are so many different kinds of libraries which offer so many different types of services that you can't toss a blanket over all of them and say that they are all "like this".

City libraries are different from Country libraries, coastal libraries are different from inland libraries. Some areas have more children, others have more teens, adults, mature aged people.  Some libraries have a large multicultural community. Some libraries are in poorer areas, others are in richer ones.

The demographics of a community largely effect what kind of library you have, what kind of services you offer, what building is used, etc.

Library workers are all different. They have different skills, different areas of expertise to which they are assigned.

People places

Everybody has a different approach to their work, not just when it is a different genre that they are working in, but within those genres.

Many work experience students and volunteers who come to help us out are surprised at the variety of jobs that we do and the way that we do them.

The stereotypes are not around anymore.....well, I haven't seen them, maybe because this cool librarian wears shades.