Just ladies from the library' : appointment and promotion of women in New Zealand libraries, 1900-1980

Abstract

This essay deals with the appointment and promotion of women in New Zealand libraries from 1900-1980, with particular emphasis on the period 1951-1980. Chapter 1 looks at librarianship in the context of women's entry into the paid work force in the nineteenth century. Chapter 2 presents the notion of professional skill as a gendered concept. This is presented in a New Zealand context whenever possible and covers topics such as gendered spaces, library appointments, the feminisation of librarianship, salary differences and the "family wage" and the marriage bar. Chapter 3 provides an analysis of 352 library staff employed in four libraries (two university and 2 public) in New Zealand between 1951 and 1980. As expected, not only were women not reaching the top level positions as men were, but in many cases it was clear than men were preferred for these positions.