Vinita asks a question, "Why cant we stop "I"ing to the outer world and start "eyeing" our inner selves? As Librarians how do we answer this question? January 17, 2011; Monday
What is this going beyond after all? Is it about being contended, being selfless, being egoless being broad minded, being inclusive, being tolerant, being happy for what we are and being proud about being amongst the commoners and the greats simultaneously? The answer to this question puts librarians and the librarianship in perspective. The answer to this question has potential to position librarian and librarianship to the centre place of social fabric. We can graduate to the indispensable value systems of social life making way for much awaited and coveted title of being a full fledged profession. to put it in understandable terms an occupation moves from being a work and job to being a profession and a calling. When the he, she, it, they, are put in focus, the I and me concerns get more boost and more calling from every where.
What this means to a Librarian?
- Being a Librarian let us be what we are and what we stand for. We are and will be more comfortable if we are comfortable with what we are as a librarian.
- We don't need status comparable to that either of a teacher, scientist or manager or leader or a scholar. We have to emerge your self as a true librarian. lot remains to be done to be a librarian, to be a true librarian. We can never go further, grow further if we are moved by the glamour of fascinating titles like, a manager, leader or a teacher.
- Status does not come with fancy titles, it comes and builds upon our intrinsic potentials and credentials.
- User first, members first, patrons first : Our stability and status are closely interlinked to our action and activities and services. We should make our space and get into doing what others are not into doing. That makes us indispensable. When we go further and further in this regard we be come indispensable and we become eligible for what we really deserve from people around and society at large.
- Yes, we have to speak the language of he, she, they and you. Let us place the reader, user, member, patron in the centre place and we will be on the right track.
- There is nothing less in what we are and what we stand for. We are already at the centre of social fabric. It is time to realize and introspect. We had arrived at this centre space long long before. It is now, again to re assert and go as closer to this reality as possible. It is possible. It is possible, because we are already what we wanted to be?
- It is time we really stand for what we are ….. this ideal is no less an ideal. Let society give / bestow upon us what it rightfully thinks as right and due and true.
We are librarians, we are professionals, nothing more nothing less. So what if we still continue to emerge into the best of what we are!
Keywords : Librarian, librarianship, I, Iing, eyeing, beyond I, worth, O-zone, Vinita Dawra Nangia, competition, Vinita.nangia@timesgroup.com, status, prestige, profession, professionalism, Rajashekhar Devarai, Sociology, LbnRaj, Times of India, Times Life.
LbnRaj, lotus5673@yahoo.co.in ; http://indialibrarian-intl.blogspot.com
(Inspiration : Let us go beyond 'I' / Vinita Dawra Nangia.-Times of India, January 16, 2011).
Librarianship is a noble profession
http://indialibrarian-intl.blogspot.com/1816gbgv
