I didn’t have much time to contemplate a reading plan today because I was at a regional library conference all day. There were two speakers and no breakout sessions. The speakers were great. The keynote was Marshall Breeding who talked about how integrated Library Systems are now legacy systems and need to be thrown out in favor of a universal resource management system or some kind of consolidated management system. Unfortunately there isn’t much to choose from. He is currently working on an open source consolidated management system that if it works, will be quite innovative. It was a really interesting systems/techie talk that I enjoyed and was excited by and left me wondering, how can I work on stuff like that?
I don’t remember the other speaker’s name, but he was a practical nuts and bolts guy and talked about 10 different tools to use in improving library processes. They ranged from things like never have a meeting without an agenda to group problem-solving using fishbone diagrams and force field analysis, to data collection using check lists and pareto chart analysis. All very useful if you are the one in charge of a meeting or project and some of the tools, like the fishbone diagram, are great systems analysis tools.
I went to the conference with my library’s evening circulation assistant. We are both currently in library school. It is perhaps a glimpse of what kind of future librarians we will be when afterwards she was jazzed up by the second speaker and his practical tools and I was jazzed up by the first speaker and his techie systems talk.
Part of the fun of the conference is checking out my colleagues. There’s been so much talk about the new, young, hip librarians that I expected to see a contingent of them there looking cool and fashionable, tattooed and techie. There were definitely some younger folk there but only one, maybe two, would I even consider placing in the hip category.
While others left the conference thinking about what tools they can use at their library or about their out of date cataloging system, I came away with a few other questions:
- Why do male librarians seem to have a fondness for bow ties?
- Do female librarians tend to be frumpy before they enter the profession or is it something that gradually rubs off on them the longer they work in the field?
- What is up with librarians’ hair? While I didn’t see any poodle perms, there were a few on the verge. One woman had a cut that would have been all the rage in 1975. And there were several balding men with ponytails.
- And finally, and perhaps, most importantly, am I doomed to gradually slide into frumpy with bad hair? How does one resist coming to look like one’s peers? Will anyone tell me if I start to slip?
These seem to be the most important questions for me at this time as I am still at the beginning of my journey as a library professional. After all, the people and culture of the work are just as important as the work itself. If anyone has any insight or suggestions to offer, I will gladly hear it, especially if you can offer advice on how to look hip/fashionable when you hate to shop and would rather spend money on books than clothes.
A linguistic query: what’s a breakout session? Is it one where people are allowed to suddenly break out singing or dancing? That would be cool. Or does everyone just rush the exits and head for the nearest coffee shop?
I hear you about role models. When I had my first job in Cambridge I was given a teeny-tiny room up the top of a winding staircase. Living at the bottom was an elderly professor with a collection of harpsichords, a gammy leg and a skin disease. I shook his hand, thinking, Nemesis! Basically all you can do is fight very hard against the tide and employ independent witnesses to check you out every now and then.
Hurray I have ideas (I work in an IT office with men, where making a effort with that cool, studious office look is pointless. There’s also a short walk uphill to my bus stop so I would rather eat my own hand than wear the four inch heels some women sport to work :
Paint your nails an exciting colour
Always have a good haircut
Wear some awesome accessories (which can be bought online without trying on)
Buy cheap but exciting flat shoes (colourful or patterned) – any shoes you wear every day will get wrecked easily so you may as well spend minimum money on them
Avoid glasses on a string if at all possible
I think I see the answer to your questions in that last sentence
But I think you’re well protected from frumpiness, your loyal readers will catch the hints and steer you clear from 80s hairdos and drab clothing!
I had to laugh at litlove’s comment: what’s a breakout session? I wish it were a literal “Break-Out” time!!
Frumpness: I keep toying with the librarian idea (I think I’ve permanently shelved it, but you never know… get it? Shelved?) and I think that somehow libraries and shapless cardigans go hand in hand, but I agree with Jodie that fabulous (comfy) shoes and accessories will keep you from permanent frumpdom. I personally figure that if I don’t have the shopping stamina to maintain hipsterdom, I can at least easily do ‘wacky art lady’ pretty well, and it’s just as comfy as Frumptown. I think wacky art lady would work for librarian pretty well too. Just get some good basics (non-pleated, classic (comfy) trousers, some tailored sweaters, etc.) and then have fun with kooky shoes, glasses and accessories. Also, excellent excuse for cool bookbags.
I loved the questions you had far better than all the talk of fishbones and paretos and force fields (I have no idea what any of those are). I think they have a much more practical application as well. I mean, a poodle do could set library science back decades. And what IS it with those bow ties? They always look as though they should twirl around and around like a boat propeller. I can’t give wardrobe advice, I’m afraid. I’ve been thinking of getting one of those rhinestone chains for my specs.
Ha,ha.. Stefanie, it’s great to see you came away with the most important points to ponder
You can resist this. Just be a bit of a rebel and you’ll be fine.
You might want to check the age of the hairstyle/clothing against the age of the wearer. People do tend to hang onto the hairstyles/clothing they wore in their 20′s, regardless of current fashion. Possibly because KIDS THESE DAYS. Good gawd.
Litlove, a breakout session at a conference are all those side sessions you can attend on various topics. You get to choose which ones you go to and they usually last an hour to an hour and half–you breakout from the big group to spend time in smaller groups. I guess it must be an American term? Your “nemesis” story made me laugh. I guess there are types for most professions. I will have to assemble a team of non-library witnesses to check in on me
Jodie, hurray! I love your ideas! I didn’t even think about accessories. I also like the though of cute cheap shoes. I would never put my glasses on a string unless it was so over the top that it was clear I was being ironic. Thanks for the great ideas
Verbivore, maybe I should just find a way to wear books as clothing without harming the book? And thank you, I appreciate your vigilance
Daphne, you crack me up! Wacky art lady sounds like a great style. I’m not sure I can pull that off though. I like your idea of simple basics and funky accessories. I suppose that means I will have to expand my shopping to include someplace other than Target
Grad, oh you and I think along the same lines with bow ties! I kept waiting for them to spin or light up or something!
I think a rhinestone chain can be a statement if done with panache.
Iliana, be a bit of a rebel? I think I can manage that, I’ve got tattoos after all. That’s a start, right?
Carrie, ah good point. The poodle perms were all on older women, but the 70s cut looked like she was in her 30s. I know what you mean about tending to wear the fashions you wore in your 20s. A rather crunchy-granola/grunge/flannel look was big then and well, I have had to work really hard to winnow out most of my flannel shirts
I second Jodie — always have a good haircut! I also had difficulties when I was first a librarian — I had long hair but never wore it up again, once I started working. Then I cut it all off. I know what you mean, however. I’ve worked with many, many women and only two could be considered “hip”. They were both systems people so I don’t think you have to worry!
LOL! I haven’t observed much librarian frumpiness where I live, but I don’t doubt that it’s out there. Might be a subject for a future break-out session—”professional presentation.”
Litlove’s question made me laugh because I hate that term “breakout session” — it sounds like everyone leaves with an acne problem. Anyway, my best advice about the hating to shop problem is to find a friend who loves to shop and will go with you to the stores now and then. Might as well take advantage of those strange, strange people who like to shop!