Popcorn and a Movie
i recently viewed Anne Seidl's movie, The Hollywood Librarian: A look at librarian's through film. Seidl goes through the history of librarians and libraries throughout the world and how they were portrayed in both film and real life societies. She starts by talking about ancient libraries, the Library of Alexandria in particular, and the roles librarians played. One note worthy movie that features a librarian in this time period was Cleopatra. Seidl then moves on to the 1800's and again how the role of not only this time period's librarian was seen, but the difference from ancient times to the modern, western world. Seidel eventually makes her way to librarians and libraries in present day and the roles they and their librarians play in today's society.
The role of the library and the librarian have changed throughout the years. As Seidl points out, librarians were trusted advisors and tutors to heads of the state. They were in charge of documenting stories ad life. Architectural information was important for librarians to understand and report. From this stand point, librarians were a very important part of civilization.
As time progressed, the role of the librarian did not necessarily change too much from ancient Alexandria, but the life of the librarian was different. The profession of being a librarian was seen as a feminine job for women who were more interested in building a career than having a family. Many librarians were portrayed in movies as being grouchy, old spinsters with no life outside of the library. Because of this being a woman's profession, librarians made much less money than other professions dominated by men.
From viewing this film, I realize that a librarian is not just a person who loves books, but someone who is very passionate of learning and literacy, along with wanting a thriving community. The librarian does not just offer information to patrons and keep order in the library, they make the library what they are by being involved with and a part of the community they are in. Librarians can form bonds with patrons and help people and communities develop.
I think the most important role of an LIS professional is the connection he or she makes with the community they are serving. By setting up programs for children, they are influencing children to learn and read. Other library programs might help immigrants become more comfortable in their new environment. A sense of community is vital for libraries to form.
The most surprising point of this film was that libraries are in the hands of communities and that funding is not readily available. I have known that libraries need funding and I know that it can be hard to receive. However, after viewing this film and the experiences of the Steinbeck libraries in California, I was shocked at how hard it is to raise money. This also leads back to why it is important for libraries and librarians to be connected to the communities and provide outreach services to all individuals accessing the library.
* Seidl, Anne. (2007). The Hollywood librarian: A look at librarians through film.
North Hampton, MA : Media Education Foundation.