A Positive Impact on Perceptions

摘要

We librarians are forever wondering (and sometimes worrying) about our image in the eyes of our clients and employers. I think we all understand that librarians have an enduring brand and that librarianship is a recognized and valued profession. At the same time, it is possibly one of the most misunderstood professions today. Although some librarians continue to hold traditional types of library positions, by and large our professional activities, skills and expertise are not well understood by people outside the profession. A recent OCLC report, Perception of Libraries 2010, states that while librarians are highly recognized and valued by society, they are not the first source of information for most people. The report says that librarians have a positive image, but are not necessarily the "first port of call," an honor that belongs to Google and other search engines.