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But I Want To Hold It In My Hand! Print Resources
Credaro, Amanda, illus. Peter Lewis. Biblia's Guide to Warrior Librarianship: Humor for Librarians Who Refuse to be Classified. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2003. ISBN 1591580021. $25.00. Purchase from Amazon.com.
An occasional reader of Amanda Credaro's Warrior Librarian Weekly, I looked forward to this book. Unfortunately, an approach that works well in a web site quickly grows wearisome in print. Humor is difficult to write, a genre with many facets, and Credaro relies on one unimaginative technique: mockery by exaggeration ("astrology guide for library administrators," "pocket guide to identifying librarians," etc.). The results are cute rather than funny and her unfortunate undertone of sarcasm seems to be motivated more by pique than by professional pride.
No one disputes that some library administrators are inept, that many librarians work long hours for low salaries, have inadequate budgets and facilities, and must contend with difficult colleagues and disrespectful patrons - but there is no perfect profession and no perfect job. Yes, contemporary culture devalues service professionals, but we don't have to abide by those judgments. Ironically, the librarian stereotype is being mocked by the reality. Librarians do have power; we are the preeminent knowledge workers in the global information economy. Librarians are true warriors, fighting those who would impose censorship in the name of national security.
Rachelle Linner (linnerconsulting@yahoo.com) was a librarian at an independent girl's school and an information specialist for Northern Light. She is establishing an independent information consulting company while working half-time as a development professional.
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Terrie L. Wilson, ed. The Twenty-First Century Art Librarian. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press, 2003. ISBN 0789021099. $24.95. Purchase from Amazon.com.
Co-published as vol. 39, no. 1 Journal of Library Administration, this slim volume offers a glimpse into current practices in art and architecture libraries from several perspectives. Although there is mention of the increasing availability of electronic resources and other "twenty-first century" concerns, in general, the descriptions of the art library of today probably resemble the art library of yesterday.
With one exception, the essays in the volume focus on art and architecture librarians who work in an academic branch library, main library, art and design school library, or as an often solo librarian in an art museum library. Joan Benedetti's profile of the small art museum library and Janine Henri's discussion of special collections in the art and architecture library are especially in- depth and detailed. Kim Collin's comparison of the university library with the art museum library is also particularly useful, especially for the uninformed. A good overview of art librarianship for both practicing art librarians and those contemplating a career in art libraries.
Rebecca L. Kranz, Reference Librarian-Arts, Z. Smith Reynolds Library, Wake Forest University, and a member of ARLIS/NA (Art Libraries Society of North America) and the ARTS section of ACRL.