I am a librarian
September 14, 2012 10:21 AM   Subscribe

A nugget of sensible advice on how not to converse with people you have just discovered are a librarian.

Because, word for word, this has happened to me. And jokes about Dewey were, and are, never funny. Also (bonus advice) don't assume or imply that the librarian is single, has one or more cats, can or will waive your library fines, or is a glasses-wearing cardigan-wrapped bunhead who spends all of his/her time reading at work. A better starting point is to perhaps acknowledge that librarians generally have sharper information finding skills than most people. An even better starting point is not to mention libraries at all, but to get the librarian a drink.
posted by Wordshore (10 comments total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: Heya, posts pretty much need to not have an extra paragraph of "and here are my thoughts" personal stuff tacked on. Maybe give this another go tomorrow without that. -- cortex



 
I'd usually want to talk about metadata.
posted by Artw at 10:24 AM on September 14, 2012 [5 favorites]


IS YOUR NAME MARIAN? I BET IT'S MARIAN, LIKE IN THE MUSIC MAN AMIRITE?
posted by jquinby at 10:24 AM on September 14, 2012


They left out my favorite (that is to say, least favorite) comment: "I must be great to be a librarian! You get to read all day!" To which I say, "Well, if you mean technical reports and minutes of meetings, yeah, maybe." I mean, who thinks auto mechanics drive all day?
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:25 AM on September 14, 2012 [1 favorite]


What is the Dewey decimal code for Snowflakes, special?
posted by srboisvert at 10:25 AM on September 14, 2012


There's some useful advice in this article for people who, like me, have absolutely no idea how to talk to any stranger at a party, regardless of profession.
posted by Faint of Butt at 10:26 AM on September 14, 2012 [1 favorite]


I'd usually want to talk about metadata.

Artw, I want you at my cocktail parties!
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:26 AM on September 14, 2012


One small correction; librarians *love* Dewey Decimal jokes if they're the ones making them (eg. the softball team at my library school was named The Dewey Decimators).

That aside, most people I meet for the first time respond to "I'm a librarian" with some variation on "That must be great! I love books!"
posted by The Card Cheat at 10:26 AM on September 14, 2012


This is Metafilter. The general response of people here to that situation is probably:

a) "Awesome, do you know jessamyn?" or
b) "Let us discuss books/metadata/the Google digitisation project and Authors Guild settlement/how I am also a librarian".
posted by jaduncan at 10:26 AM on September 14, 2012 [3 favorites]


What jaduncan said—I think you are preaching to the converted here.
posted by grouse at 10:30 AM on September 14, 2012


Sooooo....I should switch to "How ‘bout that Library of Congress system?"
posted by Philosopher Dirtbike at 10:30 AM on September 14, 2012 [1 favorite]


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