Re: GEN: attention: new librarians]

[Alice Yucht <aliceinfo@USA.NET>]

Among the comments I received in response to my =

recent suggestion that posters do some preliminary
research (e.g., in the LM_Net archives) before
asking "how do I run a school library?" type
of questions was the following:
> Ms. Yucht,
> As a new library media specialist, I found the tone of your recent post=
ing
> to be somewhat offensive.  I agree that there is some repetition on LMN=
ET,
> but I have found that the delete key works very well in such instances.=

> True, the archives are helpful and we should all be aware of their
> existence.  However, the listserve should be a forum for professionals
(both
> veteran and novice) to support each other in our rapidly changing field=
=2E

We ALL need to ask questions on occasion;
even after 35 years in this field, I still
know that I don't know everything, and I'm
willing to ask for help.  And I am NOT
telling people to be afraid to ask for help.
I AM, however, concerned that too many of
the questions lately have been asking (in =

essence) "I just got this new job, and if
truth be told, I have no idea how to do this
job, so please tell me everything I should
know and do."

Well, many of us are too busy DOING our
jobs (having learned through coursework
and hard-earned experience) to stop and
explain everything to someone who is now
starting fresh... and perhaps tabula rasa.

That's why I said 'check the archives.'
There is great stuff in there, and many
many many many of your questions could
be answered that way.

Also remember: yes, even WE do judge
books by their covers.... or at least
their first impressions.
Do you really want to be considered
an information professional if you
are not going to indicate what other
kinds of preliminary investigation and
preparation you may have already done
for this new job you think you are
qualified for?

I've been a school librarian for 35 years,
and am proud to say that I am still
willing to learn.  However, =

I've mentored too many newbies, taught
too many practical (rather than theoretical)
courses, and asked/answered too many
LM_Net questions to worry about whether
my criticism 'insulted' anyone.  I'm
just making a reality-based observation.

End of rant.

ALICE H. YUCHT,  aka Alice in InfoLand:
Librarian, Teacher, Resourcerer, Revisionary,
Curmudgeon-at-large, at
Heritage Middle School, Livingston NJ

Aliceinfo@usa.net  =

http://go.to/hmslibrary (school)
http://www.aliceinfo.org (personal)

Mantra:  s/he who laughs, lasts.

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