Monday, January 18, 2021

Quote on what the librarian profession really values

This is by now an older quote I noticed back when. I think it still remains relevant, perhaps even more so now in the COVID-19 era. 

This quote out of the essay caught my eye because it is spot on. The quote:

"And our profession certainly valorizes what it sees as heroic or visionary work, rather than consistent, good, steady work over a long period of time. Our awards don’t necessarily reward being a great instruction librarian who supports student success or a great children’s librarian who engages kids and comes up with terrific programming. Most awards celebrate the big project, the major initiative, the one important research article. And it encourages people to focus on work that is visible and big and singular rather than, perhaps, the things that will have the greatest impact on our patrons."

Source: "Thoughts at Mid-Career Part 3: Our Achievement Culture: What You're Doing Will Never Be Enough" by Meredith Farkas at Information Wants to be Free.

Also why I am not likely to win any major awards or be on anybody's radar, but I am at peace with that. As I often say, those who need to know, know.

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