The document discusses how contemporary portrayals of librarians, such as in comic books and television, contrast sharply with traditional stereotypes, depicting them as passionate defenders against injustice. It highlights the impact of political controversies, like the U.S. Patriot Act, on the perception of librarians as activists for the public good. Additionally, it raises questions about effective communication and marketing in libraries.

1. Making Our Voices Heard

2. Map from
www.publiclibrariesnews.com

3. “Yet in an interesting twist to the classic image of
librarians, recent depictions show librarians as zealous
and even violent protestors of good against evil.
Batgirl, a librarian by profession, is the classic comic
book heroine battling evil and fighting crime with
information power. The television show Buffy the
Vampire Slayer also depicts a librarian fighting
injustice and standing on the side of right.
The controversy over the U.S. PATRIOT Act, resulting
in librarians being dubbed “hysterical Ruby Ridge-type
radicals,” has added to this image as defenders of the
public good.”
- From Sacred Stacks by
Nancy Kalikow Maxwell.
Photos from Flickr courtesy
of Richard Hawkins (left)
and Tom Roper (right).

4. Who?
Who do you think of as
a good communicator?

7. What?
What does a
communications or
marketing officer do?

9. Posters from Flickr courtesy
of Phil Bradley.

10. You!
What experience do you
have communicating
with the media?

11. How?
What skills do you need
to be an effective
communicator?

12. http://xkcd.com/756/
from xkcd by Randall Monroe

13. Communicate with us:
ianlibrarian@live.co.uk
@publiclibnews
www.publiclibrariesnews.com
simon.barron.19@gmail.com
@SimonXIX
undaimonia.blogspot.com