Embracing Stereotypes

Stereotypes abound, some for a reason and others because rumors and myths refuse to die.  While generally I find librarian stereotypes to be harmless, if a bit unflattering, we did talk about them a fair bit in one of my MLIS classes several years back.  Why?  Because...well, I guess it pays to be prepared.

The two librarian tropes were (and are): The Sexy Librarian, and  The Old Spinster Librarian.

So...clearly not me.  I think once you're in the library field you realize there's a nice, undefined third stereotype.  In the third, invisible stereotype?  Well, you can expect to see plenty of cardigans, tea-drinking, knitting, cat-owning, reading types of people.  Plenty of yarn and random facts all around.

All of this is a rather long segue into how this stereotype reared it's amusing head over the holidays this year.

At work this year, the librarians all got together from our different campuses and did a Yankee Swap.  I got quite a giggle out of most of the gifts, because as a group, we seemingly embrace the third, invisible stereotype!  There were more cardigans around the table than I care to admit, several sight enhancers, and no dearth of literary-themed gifts.  Some of these included:

• Catalog Card Box (of old catalog card notecards to send to your friends)
• Tequila Mockingbird (yes, drinks and literary puns, my two favorite things)
• Novel Teas (in case Tequila Mockingbird isn't punny enough, these "novelties" are tea...with litererary quotes)
• A lapel pin (of books)
• Books (need I say more?)

I know, I know, stereotypes can hurt some people.  But really...In this one case I think I can forgive it.  After all, I am now the proud owner of a novel lapel pin (pun totally intended) and novel teas.