Overview

Librarians & Stereotypes: So, Now What? examines librarianshipthrough communication, gender, psychology, anthropology, and culturalstudies theories to begin to get to the root of why certain librarianstereotypes exist today and whether or not it's possible to change someof these stereotypes. It also looks at what stereotypes librarians thinkexist about the field today, how librarians present themselves andwhether or not this is changing (and consequently helping or hurting,the profession), and what public perceptions exist about librarianship asopposed to just what the media tells us about librarianship. An overviewof stereotypes presented in the literature is provided, however the pointof this book is to go beyond simply rehashing what stereotypes are thereand to look at how we can use knowledge of the current stereotypes andknowledge from other disciplines to change some of these stereotypes.The book also looks at the possible impossibility of changing certainstereotypes, and possible repercussions our actions, or lack thereof, withregard to stereotypes may have on the future of the profession. Finally,tips are offered to help librarians begin to combat stereotypes.