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info@pustaka Librarians, professionalism and image: stereotype
and reality

Abigail Luthmann, (2007) "Librarians, professionalism and image: stereotype and reality", Library Review,
Vol. 56 Iss: 9, pp.773 - 780.

Introduction

The professional image and the self-image of librarians are influenced by representations in the media and images in the general
public's imagination. This article examines the influence of these forces upon ideas of professionalism in librarianship, considering
the often competing voices that shape our sense of the professional role.

First, the historical development of the idea of a professional role is outlined, to indicate the background to the contemporary
situation. The reality of the stereotype of a librarian is investigated, and media and public perceptions are examined. The image of
the librarian within popular culture, often heroic and far from stereotypical is illustrated as distant to the profession's own self-
image. The current context of changing professional roles can contribute to personal insecurity and the implications of these
changes are discussed. Finally, possible directions and propositions for the future of the profession are presented.

The professional role is examined throughout via the lens of the public library as it is the professionals of this sector that form the
popular image of the librarian for a majority of people. This is not intended to be exclusive, and many of the issues discussed can be
applied across types of library, however the image of the public librarian is considered to be key as it is the public library which is
most widely accessible to the populace at large.

The first librarians: historical background

It was the Public Libraries Act of 1850 that began the history of modern public librarianship. The numbers of public libraries rapidly
increased as the 19th became the 20th century; in 1911, 58 per cent of the population was served by a public library and by 1915
there were 375 public libraries across England and Wales (Adams in Smith, 2006, p. 18). One of the key reasons for the establish-
ment of public libraries was for the self-betterment of the working classes, yet the first male librarians often had left formal educa-
tion themselves at 13 or 14 and the low status of female colleagues (despite being better educated), both contributed to the pro-
fession as a whole being seen as one of low status (Smith, 2006, p. 54).

The skills needed to practice librarianship were disputed from the very beginning of the formation of the Library Association in
1877, which was a non-qualifying association at inception. There was no requirement for a formal qualification and professional
views expressed at the time reflect librarians’ perception of the popular opinion, and frequently advocate a higher status, and larger
wage-packet:The same old ignorant idea… that librarianship is a mere elementary kind of labourer's job, requiring nothing more scientific than the physical ability
to hand a book over the counter, for which a contemptibly small wage is more than enough (The Library World, 1910/11 in Smith, 2006, p. 55).

The skills set of librarians was stressed as something that distinguished them from “mere … labourers”:

Present-day librarians are almost universally trained men; energetic and capable of using for the benefit of readers, whatever knowledge they may possess (Green,
1903/04 in Smith, 2006, p. 55).

Admittance to the profession for boys was at the age of 13 or 14 after an elementary school education; for women at 17, after a
high school education and in some cases a degree (Smith, 2006, p. 62). The need to continue this education was recognised:

A board school education is not enough for anyone who aspires to be something better than an automatic machine for issuing and indicating books… (Roberts,
1901/03 in Smith, 2006, p. 62).

Some library authorities chose to further their employees’ education through internal schemes, and the Library Association intro-
duced professional certificates in 1880. These, however, provided no guarantee of an improvement in conditions of employment:

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