Mo Dawley's posting is another terrific (and poignant) posting that (like
Cathy Donaldson's) points to the necessity of constantly reminding your
clients, whether they be curators, docents, faculty, or grad students, of
what you and your library can offer researchers. Yes, sometimes we actually
have to be "butinskys." It is a delicate balancing act; you don't want
people to start going in the opposite direction when you approach. But I
think that if you regularly engage your clients with good humor on their
intellectual level, show that you are interested in what they are doing,
thereby encouraging their trust, and avoid at all costs confirmation of their
worst fears--that they are really research-illiterate (yes, even faculty and
curators--or maybe especially faculty and curators--have that fear), one can,
with persistence, gradually gain "a place at the table." It's "not fair,"
but it is a lesson librarians can learn from the negotiating experience of
every other socially dominated group. It may help to realize that the most
seemingly disdainful researcher may simply not want to "lose face" by
admitting ignorance. It may not seem like it's part of your job to put
people like that at ease, but a little sensitivity with "the high and the
mighty" can make a dramatic difference in their willingness to accept your
help.
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