Comments on: Library Videos Will Survive, Unfortunately

By: I Like Books

I Like Books — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:48:09 +0000

I’ve actually been kind of disappointed in the results I tend to get when I go to librarians with serious research requests.

By: Soren Faust

Soren Faust — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 20:11:30 +0000

AL, you’re like the Mrs Betty Bowers of Librarianship and that’s why I like you. My director sent this to us the other day, ostensibly, I suppose, in a positive light. I almost choked on my coffee, but didn’t because I had already seen enough of these laughable attempts to gain attention on YouTube to buffer a full-on epileptic fit from the strobbing idiocy of this video. Although, I do think your comment concerning the poor as somehow being equal to crazy was uncalled for, especially since most librarians are just this side of poor, the overall gist of your diatribe is well-founded.

By: KidLib

KidLib — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 06:57:26 +0000

Egads. Oh, AL. The things in the beginning are way too true about libraries, but why do we put up with it????

I wonder if they have to pay to apply for jobs here, like this one: http://www.lisjobs.com/jobseekers/details.asp?ID=43385

By: Laura Solomon

Laura Solomon — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:26:19 +0000

“First, we’re not a profession to be taken seriously. This is the implication of every silly video librarians produce, and this one only reinforces it. I’m aware of no other profession – from lawyer to social worker – where so many members are so professionally frivolous in public.”

Amen. Please, PLEASE librarians, stop making these. I know you like to have fun. Please just cease doing it at the expense of our collective professional reputation.

By: NA

NA — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:27:38 +0000

“There’s a line about libraries having a mission, but it’s not at all clear from the video what that mission is, unless it’s being a doormat to every crazy that walks in the door. That might indeed be a mission, but it’s not one that I want associated with the profession.”

A library’s job is to provide service to ALL in the community, not judge and dismiss certain people as “crazy.” Frankly, I’m more disturbed by the elitist attitude in this Blog entry, than by the video in question.

By: embarrassed colleagues

embarrassed colleagues — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:02:01 +0000

My colleague and I just sat through this video and are horrified and embarrassed for the profession. Mr. Jinx (comment 19) says it best: “…libraries don’t have the cash to get a decent ad out so you get these train wrecks.” Enough with the “hey we’re cool too” library videos!

By: tummytime

tummytime — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 02:25:30 +0000

For the sake of your health, do not watch that video and trust AL’s description. Also, why should our service communties throw money at us when apparently librarians are doing just fine as a bunch of lunatics?

By: Jinx

Jinx — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:47:32 +0000

Yes, most librarians suck at making videos.

Public relations videos aren’t easy to make and libraries don’t have the cash to get a decent ad out so you get these train wrecks. It’s hard make a PSA without looking like an idiot if you don’t know what the hell you are doing.

I don’t see how the videos will get better if they don’t keep trying.

And if there is a profession, there is a professional making a horrible video. Grant it, librarians are really good at making bad videos but so are many other professions. Search for different types of PSA’s on Youtube and weep.

By: brian

brian — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 22:38:13 +0000

Amen AL!!! The 3 Stooges are better portrayed than these hand wringing librarian videos

By: blacksquirrel

blacksquirrel — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:49:11 +0000

That is cornier than my place of residence which is in the corn belt. I need some ear bleach. Our profession has been quacker factoried.