I think one difference here is that nurses and doctors have distinct
roles and responsibilities, some differentiated by law.
Unfortunately, there are many people in the schools and public
libraries doing all of the tasks of a librarian, even though they do
not have the professional degree that we would like to see as a
requirement. Whether we like it or not, if a person performs all of
the tasks of a librarian he or she IS A LIBRARIAN, even without a
degree.
That is not to say that I want Library Assistants being listed on the
staff list as a librarian, nor do I want an uncertified assistant to
be responsible for the librarian's duties, but we need to remember
that to most patrons, whoever they interact with at the library is,
in their mind, "the librarian" whether they are dealing with a
certified, degreed librarian, or a page or clerk who might be
shelving books or copying program fliers.
So my response would be Yes, you should try to get the listing
corrected and the perception changed. Yes, we as a profession have a
job ahead of us to educate the public to the difference between
certified and uncertified librarians. But we must also remain aware
of the realities or the situation and not try to draw analogies that
are probably not all that valid. The difference between a certified
librarian and an uncertified one is not the same as the difference
between a doctor and a nurse.
I think I am particularly sensitive to this since my husband was, for
over 25 years, a public library paraprofessional, working most of
that time in the Information Services department. In spite of my 20+
years as a school librarian, with a Masters in Library Science, and
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification in
Library Media, there are still things he could do better than I can,
by virtue of his experience and on-the-job training. I do agree that
the Library degree should be the minimum standard for School
Librarians, paraprofessionals can also have a place in our
profession. I would rather see a well-trained paraprofessional
running the library than see it closed down.
Gail Smith, NBCT
Librarian & Tech Facilitator
Edison Regional Gifted Center - Chicago, Illinois
gsmith@edison.cps.k12.il.us
On Feb 27, 2006, at 10:13 AM, Jennifer Davidson wrote:
> I doubt that doctors would be considered 'too sensitive' or to have
> too much time on their hands if nurse practitioners were being
> called doctors, or nurses if orderlies were being called nurses. It
> is possible that some nurses might not be able to find employment
> as nurses and might take jobs as orderlies, but I think the point
> stands.
>
> Jennifer Davidson
> jdavidson@solomon393.k12.ks.us <mailto:jdavidson@solomon393.k12.ks.us>
> Elementary Librarian
> Solomon Elementary
> Solomon, KS
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: School Library Media & Network Communications
> [mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU]On Behalf Of Reggie Buresh
> Sent: Monday, February 27, 2006 10:08 AM
> To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
> Subject: Re: [LM_NET] Am I too sensitive? Librarian vs. Library Aide
>
>
> Or that real librarians are so well-organized they can find time to
> engage
> in philosophical discussion...
>
> Reggie
>
> BOOKS. The original laptops. If Reading was a Varsity Sport,
> Librarians
> would rule the world.
>
> Reggie Buresh / Librarian & Webmaster
> Mahtomedi High School
> 8000 75th St. North
> Mahtomedi, MN 55115-1795
> USA Phone: 651-407-2157
> Fax: 651-407-2125
> rburesh@mahtomedi.k12.mn.us
> www.mhsmediacenter.homestead.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: School Library Media & Network Communications
> [mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of George Boyer
> Sent: Monday, February 27, 2006 10:04 AM
> To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
> Subject: Re: Am I too sensitive? Librarian vs. Library Aide
>
> Anyone outside the profession following this thread might
> understandably
> conclude that real librarians have way too much time on their hands.
> George Boyer
> Librarian
> Winans School
> Livingston, MT 59047
> gboyer@livingston.k12.mt.us
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
> You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
> by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
> To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
> In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
> 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
> * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
> * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
> * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
> * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
> You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
> by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
> To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
> In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
> 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
> * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
> * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
> * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
> * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
> You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
> by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
> To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
> In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
> 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
> * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
> * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
> * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
> * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home