Re: GEN: school vs. public

[MarjorieP@AOL.COM]

     I have also been a public library children's librarian (many moons ago)
and my association work has put me in the middle of many debates between
public and school librarians.  Some have become very hostile and this always
makes me feel sad.
     I think there are several issues which lead to the schism between us.
 First, and probably most important, we are often in competition for the same
pot of money . . . .  at least, (my experience suggests) from the public
librarians' point of view.  Money is always a devisive issue.
     Secondly, I think librarians have a tendency to think about each other
in broad categories: public, academic, school; without realizing there are
vast differences in the position of librarian within each category.  For
example, I think slms assume all public librarians have a staff and very
departmentalized responsibilities.  That is only the case in a large public
library while there are MANY very small public libraries where there might
only be one professional and the staff might be very small.  If they attempt
to do any programming, they will need to stay late or take work home just
like a slms.
      Somehow all librarians must begin to focus on what we have in common
and begin working together.  I know slms who regularly work cooperatively
with public librarians to expand the literary appreciation and information
access options of young people.  I know public librarians who are on
committees for school libraries.  Etc.  We need to do more of this.  We also
need to communicate this sense of librarianship unity to the community.
 There are common issues which are facing librarians today (i.e. financing,
changing technologies, intellectual freedom) which require us to be united,
not divided.  Maybe more of our LM_NET members might consider joining the
public library list just to further a positive dialog.
Marjorie Pappas
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA
Marjoriep@aol.com