Librarians & Stereotypes – So, now what?

Librarians & Stereotypes
190 pages Pages
ISBN 978-0985259969

Librarians & Stereotypes: So, Now What? examines librarianship through communication, gender, psychology, anthropology, and cultural studies theories to begin to get to the root of why certain librarian stereotypes exist today and whether or not it's possible to change some of these stereotypes. It also looks at what stereotypes librarians think exist about the field today, how librarians present themselves and whether or not this is changing (and consequently helping or hurting, the profession), and what public perceptions exist about librarianship as opposed to just what the media tells us about librarianship.

An overview of stereotypes presented in the literature is provided, however the point of this book is to go beyond simply rehashing what stereotypes are there and to look at how we can use knowledge of the current stereotypes and knowledge from other disciplines to change some of these stereotypes. The book also looks at the possible impossibility of changing certain stereotypes, and possible repercussions our actions, or lack thereof, with regard to stereotypes may have on the future of the profession. Finally, tips are offered to help librarians begin to combat stereotypes.

Christina J. Steffy

About Christina J. Steffy (Reading, Pennsylvania Author)

Christina J. Steffy

Christina J. Steffy is the Director of the Learning Commons at Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences. She is very active in Pennsylvania Library Association and is the co-editor of the PaLA Bulletin. She is also an adjunct instructor for the College.

Christina is a freelance writer and editor and has worked with media outlets in Berks County including BerksMont News, Reading Eagle, and Berks County Living. In addition to having a master's degree in library and information science from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, she has bachelor's degrees in English/professional writing and speech communication from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.