Status question in librarianship

Abstract

The question of the status of librarianship has long been of concern within the profession. Melvil Dewey aspired to substitute a modern professional identity for the "mouser in musty books"1 of the past, but his confident expectations have not been realised. Today, librarians continue to feel misunderstood and unappreciated, with a position in the public's consciousness that they fear hardly extends beyond the mythical figure of the fussy, repressed, middle-aged spinster. Library literature contains extensive discussion of the profession's status and image - the two concepts related by the profession's unfortunate image being seen as either a cause or a consequence of the profession's low status. A good deal of this discussion takes place in the more "popular" library publications. These journals give librarians a private space in which they may commiserate with each other on their place in the world and make exhortations to each other to conduct themselves with more confidence, to present themselves more professionally, to go out into the wider community and make the public know what librarians actually do. Readers are invited to submit egregious of popular stereotyping. Articles by public relations consultants are printed to teach librarians how to gain more respect by projecting a more businesslike image. Proposals are discussed for publicity campaigns, logos and slogans, in order to change the public's perception of librarians.