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Back to Bloggin'September 26, 2007You may not have noticed, but I haven’t blogged here since last April. I was silenced by a combination of other deadlines, technological change, and a beautiful summer of gardening, traveling, and all. Most important, it was NOT the argument over anonymous postings which shut me up. Yes, we allow anonymous postings here. And yes, I even agree with the Annoyed Librarian that anonymous postings are protected expression, and our courts and First Amendment apply to them. But Annoyed got very defensive about it all, even quoted a long statement by the Electronic Frontier Foundation about it. But I haven’t changed my mind, and I still think most who hide behind anonymity or some pseudonym are simply cowards, afraid to tell us who they are. I don’t deny them their right to do it, and if I were AL, for example, I might want to hide my real identity too. To attack those who tell you who they are, while hiding your own identity is the coward’s way. Back from hiatus, I am reassured and frustrated to see that the library agenda hasn’t changed, indeed rarely does change. Michael Gorman and others (including me) are still task forcing in ALA to reform library education while the iCaucus, those 19 former “library schools,” are mounting yet another PR campaign touting their notion that what they call “information” is the main ingredient of all human endeavor. I’m sure they are right, but unlike them, I’m also sure it was always so. The closet censors are still with us too. You know, the one’s who espouse free expression, as long as it doesn’t emanate from the president of Iran, the nude on a mudflap creatively promoting libraries in Wyoming, or the computer screen in a public access computer in the lobby of a public library in Podunk. My favorite feminist take on the “mudflap girl” is from Karen Schneider, who explains why she is “in a conundrum” about it. I don’t disagree with David King. He said: “I simply do not see how mudflap babe shows me that libraries are 'reliable and exciting.'" Still it is always depressing when so many who claim to share the values of librarianship jump on the bandwagons to censor free expression because they are offended by its sexism, politics, culture, or other content. That is the part we always miss: offensive expression is protected, and librarianship subscribes to the position that libraries should make all expression, offensive or not, accessible to all, whatever their age. We still don’t always get that. And, alas, that was always so too! I'm saddened to see that those dreadful entry-level jobs in the dank and dreary branch libraries of some of the nation’s great cities with the most distinguished public library systems have not improved at all. I teach at three LIS programs now, and I’m getting a lot of feedback from the new librarians, some of the very best and brightest, who are struggling to keep their idealism and spirit alive in the face of entrenched bureaucrats, risk-averse malingerers, and rule-bound functionaries. We have to find a way to save these bright young ones from our entrenched, aging losers. So greetings! It is good to be back! Posted by John N. Berry III on September 26, 2007 | Comments (14) Industries: Education/Training, Intellectual Freedom, Legislation, Library Culture, Managing Libraries, News & Features
September 27, 2007
In response to: Back to Bloggin' Wilda commented: Welcome back, John! We have missed your lively voice.
September 27, 2007
In response to: Back to Bloggin' Biff Bookmark commented: Welcome back, John! Now get rid of those spam entries on your blog...
October 11, 2007
In response to: Back to Bloggin' Jennie commented: The voice of reason returns. Great to have good reading to look forward to - Jennie
October 16, 2007
In response to: Back to Bloggin' Sarah commented: I'm offended by your comment about the public library computer in "Podunk". Those of us working public service in "Podunk", or Minneapolis, or wherever, are entitled to harrassment-free and respectful workplaces, and not just those shut up in offices. There is very little intellectual freedom in this profession, and this is probably one of the reasons so many people sign themselves as "anonymous". Perhaps LJ should get a blogger from the front lines - Cheryl LaGuardia is the only one who might possibly qualify from your present list - to get another perspective on library issues.
October 20, 2007
In response to: Back to Bloggin' Kathleen de la Pena McCook commented: Tell LJ staff thanks for the fine coverage of the Vancouver Public Library Workers Strike.
October 23, 2007
In response to: Back to Bloggin' Hillary commented: If you are only writing once a month or so, it isn't a blog. It's a column. Tell me you are writing a monthly column, and I'll check back monthly. But, I think a blog needs to be a little more regular to keep our attention.
October 25, 2007
In response to: Back to Bloggin' Joy commented: I don't know, John, I'm less worried about those bright fresh-minted MLS facing aging administrators than I am all those bright freshe-minted MLS who can't find any jobs at all. The depressing stories in LJ about the lack of job and the insulting starting pay makes me wonder how we dare to recruit and recruit new librarians when there are so few fulltime professional jobs for them. One bright attractive intelligent new MLS I know turned down a paraprofessional job at a university library which they have routinely been able to fill with degreed librarians--at a pay that is embarassing or should be. Is this bait and switch--get a masters degree and be treated and paid like a clerk. Really, really sad.
November 2, 2007
In response to: Back to Bloggin' Soren Faust commented: John,
November 12, 2007
In response to: Back to Bloggin' Gudvin commented: Hello, my name is Gudvin, I like yours blog.
April 10, 2008
In response to: Back to Bloggin' Tara_Reid commented: Hi mister! Cool website and nice content!!! Thanks!!!
August 11, 2008
In response to: Back to Bloggin' the zak commented: At our Boston Public Library librarians fear blogging, that their views will get them in trouble at the workplace. A restrictive environment at BPL means that library users/clientele/customers/consumers can't learn as easily about navigating the parts of BPL collections that our librarians have developed special expertise about or parts of BPL collections that our librarians have studied on their own.
August 12, 2008
In response to: Back to Bloggin' deepak commented: yep i know
April 14, 2009
In response to: Back to Bloggin' Anonymous (of course!) commented: There are thousands of possible reasons for wishing to remain anonymous - and fear (which can be sometimes interpreted as cowardice) is a very common one. But fear is a very deep and cumbersome feeling that we can help people overcome by showing them, first of all, our respect of their fear (e.g. by wholeheartedly endorsing their desire to remain anonymous - I hope I'm not offending you here, but calling them cowards surely doesn't help). Feeling offended by people who anonymously attack you can also be a pain (or even scary if the attack takes the form of a threat for example), I agree. But does it make a difference if you (the offended part) has not hidden behind anonymity?
April 14, 2009
In response to: Back to Bloggin' still Anonymous commented: (continued from previous comment) ...it is the only way I see to help "cowards" gradually overcome their fear. Alas, systematic suing (or condemnation) of people who verbally attack others without hiding behind anonymity leads many into the opposite direction (that of anonymity). Judging from the rest of your views, I am sure you could become a "helper" of such "cowards".
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