Comments on: The Hollywood Librarian World Premiere http://plablog.org/2007/06/the-hollywood-librarian-world-premiere.html Official Blog of the Public Library Association Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:21:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: spectrum scholar http://plablog.org/2007/06/the-hollywood-librarian-world-premiere.html/comment-page-1#comment-1676 spectrum scholar Thu, 30 Aug 2007 20:32:09 +0000 http://plablog.org/2007/06/the-hollywood-librarian-world-premiere.html#comment-1676 There were very few librarians of color and represented in the film. There were very few librarians of color and represented in the film.

]]> By: ALA Conference - Friday, June 23rd, 2007 « ellie <3 libraries http://plablog.org/2007/06/the-hollywood-librarian-world-premiere.html/comment-page-1#comment-1610 ALA Conference - Friday, June 23rd, 2007 « ellie <3 libraries Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:07:16 +0000 http://plablog.org/2007/06/the-hollywood-librarian-world-premiere.html#comment-1610 [...] - Read more about the Hollywood Librarian at the PLA blog. [...] [...] – Read more about the Hollywood Librarian at the PLA blog. [...]

]]> By: library+instruction+technology » The Hollywood Librarian http://plablog.org/2007/06/the-hollywood-librarian-world-premiere.html/comment-page-1#comment-1606 library+instruction+technology » The Hollywood Librarian Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:23:39 +0000 http://plablog.org/2007/06/the-hollywood-librarian-world-premiere.html#comment-1606 [...] would recommend reading posts written by Karen Schneider, Andrea Mercado, and Rochelle Harman on the premier and the proposed marketing plan. I did enjoy the film, but [...] [...] would recommend reading posts written by Karen Schneider, Andrea Mercado, and Rochelle Harman on the premier and the proposed marketing plan. I did enjoy the film, but [...]

]]> By: Liz http://plablog.org/2007/06/the-hollywood-librarian-world-premiere.html/comment-page-1#comment-1578 Liz Tue, 26 Jun 2007 21:04:34 +0000 http://plablog.org/2007/06/the-hollywood-librarian-world-premiere.html#comment-1578 I was disappointed by the film, because of its lack of focus and its political message. I enjoyed the beginning of the film, alternating early vocational film clips with images of libraries in major motion pictures (why were "Ghostbusters" and "The Breakfast Club" excluded?), but I lost interest when Salinas became the focus. What does this have to do with Hollywood Librarian? Too much time was spent on funding issues. I agree that the inclusion of young, new librarians, and innovative library technologies and partnerships, in the film, would have done wonders in changing the stereotypical images of librarians that still exists today. I did not stay to hear Seidl's speech, and from what I've read, I am glad I didn't. I could not imagine charging patrons to see this movie in our public library, and frankly, I'm angered by the suggestion. I was disappointed by the film, because of its lack of focus and its political message.

I enjoyed the beginning of the film, alternating early vocational film clips with images of libraries in major motion pictures (why were “Ghostbusters” and “The Breakfast Club” excluded?), but I lost interest when Salinas became the focus. What does this have to do with Hollywood Librarian? Too much time was spent on funding issues.

I agree that the inclusion of young, new librarians, and innovative library technologies and partnerships, in the film, would have done wonders in changing the stereotypical images of librarians that still exists today.

I did not stay to hear Seidl’s speech, and from what I’ve read, I am glad I didn’t. I could not imagine charging patrons to see this movie in our public library, and frankly, I’m angered by the suggestion.

]]> By: Andrea Mercado http://plablog.org/2007/06/the-hollywood-librarian-world-premiere.html/comment-page-1#comment-1571 Andrea Mercado Sun, 24 Jun 2007 01:24:02 +0000 http://plablog.org/2007/06/the-hollywood-librarian-world-premiere.html#comment-1571 First, there were parts of the movie that left me wanting. While the movie strives to set media image vs. reality comparison, it does that to a point, and with a distinct focus on what could be perceived as more "traditional" roles in libraries (reference, directorship, teaching); I wanted to see more of a focus on outreach, networking, collaborative and association-based work of libraries and librarians, to show that libraries aren't just islands, and that librarians are working together. The movie then moves away from the media comparisons and becomes about the stark realities of librarianship, using the closing and reopening of the Salinas library as it's focus. Second, while the librarians featured in the film are definitely exemplary and deserving of highlight, most were from a generation of librarians who have been in the profession anywhere from 15-50 years, and the younger generation is exemplified by a library school student. As a young librarian myself, I could see the relevance and power of it, but it didn't really speak to me, and I'm wondering if other librarians in the profession less than 10 years will be able to identify with the librarians depicted. In spite of the film's shortcomings, it truly is a film worth watching, with potential to truly educate the public and help change the accepted librarian stereotype. As for charging for the movie, I feel like Ann is asking libraries to help themselves by making patrons pay for *her* movie. Many libraries have a hard enough time convincing patrons to attend a free movie program, so making patrons pay for a movie that's meant to change their perspective about a misunderstood profession just seems counterproductive. First, there were parts of the movie that left me wanting. While the movie strives to set media image vs. reality comparison, it does that to a point, and with a distinct focus on what could be perceived as more “traditional” roles in libraries (reference, directorship, teaching); I wanted to see more of a focus on outreach, networking, collaborative and association-based work of libraries and librarians, to show that libraries aren’t just islands, and that librarians are working together. The movie then moves away from the media comparisons and becomes about the stark realities of librarianship, using the closing and reopening of the Salinas library as it’s focus.

Second, while the librarians featured in the film are definitely exemplary and deserving of highlight, most were from a generation of librarians who have been in the profession anywhere from 15-50 years, and the younger generation is exemplified by a library school student. As a young librarian myself, I could see the relevance and power of it, but it didn’t really speak to me, and I’m wondering if other librarians in the profession less than 10 years will be able to identify with the librarians depicted. In spite of the film’s shortcomings, it truly is a film worth watching, with potential to truly educate the public and help change the accepted librarian stereotype.

As for charging for the movie, I feel like Ann is asking libraries to help themselves by making patrons pay for *her* movie. Many libraries have a hard enough time convincing patrons to attend a free movie program, so making patrons pay for a movie that’s meant to change their perspective about a misunderstood profession just seems counterproductive.

]]> By: Nanette http://plablog.org/2007/06/the-hollywood-librarian-world-premiere.html/comment-page-1#comment-1569 Nanette Sat, 23 Jun 2007 13:36:13 +0000 http://plablog.org/2007/06/the-hollywood-librarian-world-premiere.html#comment-1569 Andrea, please talk a little more about your mixed feelings about the film. If you're like me, what troubles you is Ann's request that we charge our patrons to see the film at our libraries. Her recommended price was $8 per person. Inasmuch as I want to encourage as many people as possible to see this inspiring movie, I won't do it if I have to sign something that says I'll charge admission. That just goes against everything my public library stands for. Ann told us we could call the fee whatever we want - a donation, a compensation for our expenses, etc. - but it's still a fee, and therefore will automatically discriminate against certain folks in my community. An alternative would be to ask a local organization, business, or friends group to underwrite the film's presentation in our communities. I could live with that. But asking individuals just to pay to see it? No way. Andrea, please talk a little more about your mixed feelings about the film. If you’re like me, what troubles you is Ann’s request that we charge our patrons to see the film at our libraries. Her recommended price was $8 per person.

Inasmuch as I want to encourage as many people as possible to see this inspiring movie, I won’t do it if I have to sign something that says I’ll charge admission. That just goes against everything my public library stands for. Ann told us we could call the fee whatever we want – a donation, a compensation for our expenses, etc. – but it’s still a fee, and therefore will automatically discriminate against certain folks in my community.

An alternative would be to ask a local organization, business, or friends group to underwrite the film’s presentation in our communities. I could live with that. But asking individuals just to pay to see it? No way.

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