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Some Observations
Nov. 5th, 2007 07:03 pmSome Background:
As most of you know, I'm doing my practicum at the Lawson McGhee Library, the main branch of the public library here in Knoxville. There are a number of people (myself included) who take turns at the reference desk. There are two people about 5-10 years older than me, two men, and everyone else is an older woman with gray hair. There are always at least two people at the desk.
My Observations:
1. When I'm at the desk with someone close to my age patrons will come and ask questions to whomever is free.
2. When I'm at the desk with one of the guys patrons tend to gravitate towards me when asking questions.
3. When I'm at the desk with one of the older women patrons gravitate towards them. Even if they're helping someone else, and I'm sitting there with nothing to do!
I'm guessing this has a lot to do with people's preconceived ideas about what a librarian should look like, whether those ideas are accurate or not. I think it probably also has to do with the fact that not only am I young, but I look a lot younger than I am. I'm not offended by this or anything; I was just thinking about it earlier today.
As a side note, I'm really enjoying my practicum a lot! I also know that most people (maybe even most people I know) would not enjoy what I'm doing at all. I love it though. I have fun almost everyday I'm there.
As most of you know, I'm doing my practicum at the Lawson McGhee Library, the main branch of the public library here in Knoxville. There are a number of people (myself included) who take turns at the reference desk. There are two people about 5-10 years older than me, two men, and everyone else is an older woman with gray hair. There are always at least two people at the desk.
My Observations:
1. When I'm at the desk with someone close to my age patrons will come and ask questions to whomever is free.
2. When I'm at the desk with one of the guys patrons tend to gravitate towards me when asking questions.
3. When I'm at the desk with one of the older women patrons gravitate towards them. Even if they're helping someone else, and I'm sitting there with nothing to do!
I'm guessing this has a lot to do with people's preconceived ideas about what a librarian should look like, whether those ideas are accurate or not. I think it probably also has to do with the fact that not only am I young, but I look a lot younger than I am. I'm not offended by this or anything; I was just thinking about it earlier today.
As a side note, I'm really enjoying my practicum a lot! I also know that most people (maybe even most people I know) would not enjoy what I'm doing at all. I love it though. I have fun almost everyday I'm there.
