#critlib 9/5/17 chat: The Weight and Worth of Professionalism

So I'll be moderating a #critlib chat tomorrow! We'll be breaking down the concept of "professionalism." bring your best gifs!  https://twitter.com/violetbfox/status/903664491442950144 …

@TheGnarrator Professionalism in practice is often privileging ppl who can have a normal day during a disaster. E.G. #critlib on the day DACA likely ends

@TheGnarrator This is a great topic, is there any chance to reschedule given the many feelings, trauma, support, organizing many will be doing? #critlib

@poeticdoxa I understand, and I totally want to validate your point because I think it is important. However, we had no way of predicting (1)

@poeticdoxa that this chat would coincide with the possible repeal of DACA. I'm also conflicted, because of the bleakness that is 2017, there isn't (2)

@poeticdoxa ever going to be a "good time" to do this as the current us situation is one that just seems to get increasingly worse (3).

@poeticdoxa I would hope that #critlib would be a platform for anyone to bring in these feelings and particularly the organizing spirit into chat (4)

Also, #critlib classic: INTRODUCTIONS! Let the folx know about you. Don't forget to use the hashtag!

Going to try to follow #critlib tonight, but the dirty dishes are also calling my name

Good evening, #critlib! My name is Greg, pronoun him/his, and I'm based in Seattle. Faculty librarian at @TheLWTech. Excited to be here.

Hi #critlib! I'm V, currently a library assistant at a public library and MLIS student at Pratt!

Hi #critlib, I'm Kate, a lib tech dev from Seattle soon to be inclusion librarian at Syracuse. Not sure how "professional" I'll need to be.

Hey #critlib I'm Lisa, an academic librarian in California.

Jessica, wearer of many hats at a Midwestern academic library #critlib

Hi #critlib, I'm carrie, your moderator. I am an academic librarian at-large in KCMO ("funemployed")

Have fun with #critlib tonight. Wish I could join but thanks to my toddler I'm off to bed with Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease (for real). 😷

I'm Jennifer. Recently moved to @OSULibrary #critlib

Hey #critlib ! Veronica, acad lib in MD, currently on sabbatical in Houston. Wine in hand and ready.

🙋‍♂️ #critlib academic librarian in Virginia.

Hi #critlib! Will prob be in and out tonight. I'm Anastasia, academic librarian in NY

Hey all, I am Thomas, instruction librarian in Georgia #critlib

Hi #critlib, I'm Laura, academic & #DH librarian in the north. Mostly lurking & listening tonight. Been a long day.

Hi #critlib MLIS student, Acquisitions/E-Resources staff in Boston.

Hi #critlib, I'm Abby, a Postdoctoral Fellow at Utah State University. Former public librarian!

Hey all! I'm Kelly and I am a new(ish) public librarian near Toronto. #critlib

Hi #critlib, academic librarian in GA popping in for Q1..

Ack late to #critlib! Hi everyone, I'm Maura, college library director in Brooklyn.

Hi everyone- Maureen, architecture librarian in Chicago. very interested in tonight's discussion for #critlib

Hi #critlib I'm an academic instruction librarian in Oklahoma. Probably quietly following tonight and participating as I put my kids to bed.

I'm an academic librarian in Brooklyn! Probably spending the rest of my life on this F train! #critlib

Late with my intro - I'm a librarian turned program officer for a grantmaking foundation. #critlib

Hi! I'm robin I'm recent MLIS grad about to make the trek from LA back to NYC with background in OH, organizing, teaching artist #critlib

#critlib Where I work, "being professional" basically means treating all our patrons with respect, kindness and understanding.

#critlib A1: but if I have to talk about professionalism I focus on behaviors that promote respect, engagement, empathy.

@jvinopal I will be the annoying person asking you to unpack the word "respect." Respect as in recognize as human? As in recognize as authoritative?

@chiuchiutrain Not annoying at all. What do I mean, hmmmm. I think behavior that recognizes humanity of others and cares about that? #critlib

A1 professionalism is treating colleagues and students with respect, conducting research thoughtfully & responsibly. #critlib

A1. Organizational culture very much in support of academic programs, students bringing who they are into their coursework. #critlib

A1. I'm happy to be able to say that this is mostly articulated as "doing your job competently" at MPOW. #critlib  https://twitter.com/TheGnarrator/status/905236147865051136 …

A1. Respect for different viewpoints and frank opinions, expressed in spirit of helping colleagues, not discouraging them. #critlib  https://twitter.com/TheGnarrator/status/905236147865051136 …

A1: Also, curiosity, questions & weighing in are appreciated. Colleagues at MPOW want to know as many sides of issue as possible. #critlib

#critlib With other employees, however, we're all very laid-back: we talk about our lives, share funny stories and things we find online, et

#critlib It's a great environment to work in because I think it hits that nice balance between being professional and being myself.

#critlib I'd wager that it's much the same for other library assistants, but I suppose that would depend on supervisors, coworkers, etc.

A1. Culture of prof at my college is all about BEING THE BUSIEST OMG. It's emotionally exhausting. #critlib

@arellanover This resonates with me. If you're not ambitious, you must not be passionate as others, is how I sometimes feel. #critlib

@bembrarian A1 Professionalism sometimes feels like performance art. "I am the most willing to give of myself until there is nothing left." #critlib

@arellanover Seems like this could lead to a lot of abuse systemically. Also can exploit a lot of people who are struggling, suffering, etc. #critlib

@bembrarian It makes saying no when you're in a vulnerable situation very scary. #critlib

@arellanover Some of us have pushed back heavily against that cult of being busy at MPOW, & we've made some big improvements #critlib

@LibrarianAngie @arellanover Oh so it’s the performance of “professionalism” through looking busy. Ugh what a waste of time and mental energy #critlib

#critlib I'm more reserved when my director's around and try to look busy (even when there's not much to do) - I guess that's part of it?

@jvinopal @LibrarianAngie @arellanover I wonder if everyone is looking busy, how much real work isn't getting done, like community building. Also mindless #competition? #critlib

@jvinopal @bembrarian @arellanover 1000% agree. Also likely to lead to burnout and/or high turnover rates, which is also really bad for the institution. #critlib

@jvinopal @bembrarian @LibrarianAngie @arellanover Busyness is a status symbol (or seems that way among academics). If you're always busy & stressed, you must be important/valuable. #critlib

@abigailleigh @jvinopal @LibrarianAngie @arellanover And also you must not have any other shit going on, which makes you look better. #critlib

I've been in several POW where the attitude towards professionalism is one oriented around loyalty to institution/system #critlib

@TheGnarrator Definitely. I often feel subtext is "If you're not for us 110%, you're not deserving of our time, energy, attention" from peers. #critlib

A1a. Professionalism in my workplace is acknowledged but self-determined--maybe more so than any place I've worked prior. #critlib  https://twitter.com/TheGnarrator/status/905236147865051136 …

A1 #critlib I honestly have no idea, I've been here like 3 months and navigating new cultural norms, esp surfacing unspoken ones is hard.

#critlib A1: AFAIK we don’t have a statement or policy. I’m still pretty new at the job and don’t know all cultural norms/policy docs.

Actually, can we get some consensus or interpretations on what "professionalism" means? #critlib

A1b. In academic librarianship, it's a different ballgame, and I'm honestly mostly unaware or lazy when it comes to prof. norms. #critlib

A1 Within my lib I'd say it's more about being "student-centered" but not sure we all agree on what that means. #critlib

A1 For me, in my area of librarianship it's easier to identify what the culture isn't as opposed to what it is. Impenetrable, maybe #critlib

A1 I've been in acad libs for 10 yrs & am still not sure what professionalism looks like in our field. It's so inst specific #critlib

That's my experience too, interesting to see the differences even between similar colleges in my very geographically clustered uni. #critlib  https://twitter.com/arellanover/status/905237612100821000 …

Maybe "professionalism" in librarianship means "acting like a librarian." And so a floodgate for stereotypes??? #critlib  https://twitter.com/metageeky/status/905237010285080576 …

@bembrarian And people can be left out of social circles/cliques in some POW if they aren't "librarian*" enough. (*quirky/hipster/cool/etc). + #critlib

@sfabba @bembrarian I feel this at times due to my disinterest in drinking. #critlib

@sfabba @bembrarian I've seen this happen at conferences where non-MLIS librarians are excluded from stuff #critlib

Not having explicit policy/definition of professionalism is purposely creating gray areas that can later be used in the orgs favor #critlib

My workplace views professionalism as dressing a certain way, acting fake toward faculty, etc it's draining #critlib

@CritLib_anon Curious about what "acting fake" means! #critlib

I think of dress,deportment attitude, work ethic, etc.but largely the first two. #critlib

A1. Everyone has their own ideas about it. The concept is often used to avoid empathy. #critlib  https://twitter.com/TheGnarrator/status/905236147865051136 …

@schomj There's something almost emotionally negating about the word professionalism which would limit the ability to be being empathetic. #critlib

This. #critlib  https://twitter.com/abigailleigh/status/905239185639972864 …

A1. Culture of professionalism at my library is one of no complaints. I feel like it often also means no constructive feedback. #critlib

A1: i've also been places where it's been some kind of code for engaging with others--don't talk too much about personal life, etc #critlib

A1. At my library, "professionalism" seems to mean never letting people know you're unhappy or have negative thoughts. #critlib

@CritLib_anon Expressing negativity as perhaps showing signs of weakness? #critlib

#critlib Ugh some of these “definitions” (via policy or cultural norms) are oppressive. I’m so sorry to hear that.

@jvinopal Agreed. It's a flavor of this discussion that i had not considered. #critlib

A1. It takes some emotional labor to find between being encouraging, expressive and setting "appropriate" limits. #critlib

#critlib A2 certain topics r preferred not to be discussed openly w/in my organization even when the rest of the library world talk about it

A1 cont. Important to note that I have spent many of my 18 yrs in academic libraries being referred to as a paraprofessional #critlib

@maxgbowman Oh gosh. That term and the worldview it represents. #cringe #critlib

A1 yes, sometimes often? It's a matter of degrees - what qualifies a professional librarian vs a paraprofessional or support staff #critlib  https://twitter.com/maxgbowman/status/905238304773328900 …

@bembrarian @maxgbowman Absolutely. At best, I can interpret it as you always wear a parachute because your job might be kicked off the plane at any moment #critlib

@TheGnarrator @bembrarian & then to step into a 'professional' role after all of those years, feels like I see many things differently than my colleagues #critlib

@TheGnarrator @maxgbowman I def try to hold up the "paraprofessionals" at my library and treat them on a horizontal level regardless of knowledge diffs. #critlib

A1 I work currently in our IT services as a dev. Not much in expectations on dress code 99% of the time. Attitude is casual too. #critlib

A1. I also feel like professionalism as far as dress is v casual at the branch level, but hyper femme at the leadership level. #critlib

A1 Generally in cat/metadata/tech services, it seems like jeans/khakis and tees show up more than when I was in pub services? #critlib

@chiuchiutrain So interesting. I justify some "dressing down" to "connect with the people." I wonder if administration considers that bullshit. #critlib

A1. I definitely dress differently or am conscious of what I am wearing when I know higher-ups will be around. #critlib

I'll admit clothing/deportment worries me due to my new job. New location, new role, new culture. I hail from Seattle tech culture. #critlib

#critlib My own way of dealing with clothes “professionalism” is to wear suit-like pants, jacket every day. I dress like a man w/out a tie.

#critlib Everyone gets the same “professional" “me” - I have 5+ of the same black jacket. Few decisions getting dressed.

#critlib at mpow our dress code is defined as business casual and we are all given a handout at orientation about acceptable clothing

@CritLib_anon ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh #critlib

A1 As far as attire, I generally wear jeans to work. #critlib

@LibrarianAngie We're not allowed to do that - the pages can, but everyone else has to less casual. I think it's a bit silly #critlib

@VReadsBooks Librarians at MPOW are faculty, and several of us take that to mean we should be free to dress as any other faculty... #critlib

@LibrarianAngie @VReadsBooks Faculty is another contentious term, filled with plenty of stereotypes and gross assumptions. #critlib

Having lots of thoughts abt attire, no dress code (libns are faculty) tho I tend to dress up some, how I'm most comfortable. #critlib

@mauraweb Yes. I've been lucky to find work where dressing comfortably and colorfully is accepted, even valued. #critlib

I suspect that I many a theses could be written about the tensions between disability and professionalism in any field. #critlib

@metageeky Invisible, visible, or both? #critlib

@VReadsBooks Yes.#critlib

@VReadsBooks But to add more. Visible disabilities are reknowned for the stigma/judgments people give them. #critlib

@VReadsBooks But invisible can creep in. A dyslexic person writes "messy" emails. My depression has me drink a lot of coke zeroes as comfort. #critlib

A2. I definitely do not play the "quiet librarian behind the desk" role ingrained in society. Be friendly. Be loud. Communicate. #critlib  https://twitter.com/TheGnarrator/status/905238976486936585 …

A2: I think when you buck "librarian stereotypes" people can see you as "being unprofessional" #critlib

@TheGnarrator Curious about the pros of looking unprofessional in this context. #critlib

Be civil, be quiet, be nice, be gentle and genteel...and be white, middle class with no noticeable disabilities while you're at it #critlib  https://twitter.com/TheGnarrator/status/905240678413807616 …

Yes. A sad and depressing yes. #critlib  https://twitter.com/schomj/status/905241384793333760 …

@schomj unfortunately sometimes those invisible disabilities become very loud & obvious. Then you're unprofessional & a problem to hide. #critlib

Yes! We are trying to bring in diverse students when most of our full time front facing staff aren't all that diverse. #critlib  https://twitter.com/schomj/status/905241384793333760 …

@schomj And if you are going to be queer somehow, let it fall under proper queerness channels #critlib

So much this. I swear sometimes I try to be more visibly subversively queer just as big FU to this pseudo queer acceptance in libs #critlib  https://twitter.com/metageeky/status/905241645393747968 …

@mchris4duke Right, but then what kind of privilege does one have to have in order to do that, big middle finger to the establishment? #critlib

@mchris4duke Also the responsibility of having the privilege: for whom do we raise that middle finger and how to do it to make positive change #critlib

@jvinopal @mchris4duke UNIONIZE #critlib

UNION LIBRARY WORKERS #critlib  http://unionlibraryworkers.blogspot.com/ 

@jvinopal @mchris4duke A lot. I've taken a lot of fire for being open about having depression. But as I can gain more job stability, I keep it up. #critlib

A2. Professionalism has an inherent hierarchy, yeah? So there'll always be tension with egalitarian social values #critlib  https://twitter.com/TheGnarrator/status/905238976486936585 …

A2 exactly. Professionalism is on one level a set of coded behaviors in an organization: who belongs, who doesn't #critlib  https://twitter.com/schomj/status/905240029240406016 …

A2. "Professionalism" presents challenges in explicitly calling out white supremacy librarianship often upholds. #critlib

Late to #critlib, sitting on a delayed train! Professionalism gets higher salaries for some workers, produces inequality for others. 👋🏻👋🏻

A2 #critlib I think it's where the UNspoken norms are that I hit the differing values. Like @Fobettarh says, there're often unspoken caveats

A2 Always feels like there's this hidden culture at every workplace I've been in, where some nebulous character trait is valued. #critlib

@maxgbowman Right & that can mask the potentially discriminatory framework of "cultural/institutional fit" #critlib

A2 & I've only recently decided to stop trying to figure it out, & instead focus on my strengths, & build from there. #critlib

A2 Professionalism seems oddly codified but subjective. #critlib

A3 I think it creates loopholes in espoused values. It allows for those unspoken caveats like "unless your truth is uncomfortable" #critlib

A1 #critlib Anecdotally, how inclusion can be built into workplaces and services seems less talked about amongst catalogers I know

Lisa, infolit lib+advisor to many LIS students at UIUC. Also, late to #critlib. Extremely worried how "not professional" is used to exclude.

A2 "Professionalism" sets up an ingroup outgroup situation. You are either "professional" or you are not. But who decides? #critlib

@arellanover The professionals, of course. #critlib

IMO women that are called unprofessional in the workplace are often just not performing femininity to the expected extent #critlib

A2. I think many definitions/expectations of professionalism come from corporate world, carry into mgmt in other sectors. #critlib

Things like "being a team player" and "dressing for success" and a million other platitutdes #critlib  https://twitter.com/lisahubbell/status/905241330325979136 …

@TheGnarrator Often it seems these only come into play to criticize. Done instead of providing clear direction on goals + performance feedback? #critlib

Q3. What are ways that professionalism is oppressive? #critlib (we've already covered this some, but lets dig deeper)

A3 #critlib I think oppressive is a...strong word for something like professionalism, but looking at your answers I c where ur coming from

Could be I just don't have enough experience to really say #critlib

A2 Piggybacking on @abigailleigh : B/c professionalism is subjective it makes it easier to create very white libraries #critlib

@abigailleigh Ack, I mean A3! Also I've seen professionalism dictate civility discourse at its worst. #critlib

@arellanover #critlib there is lots of inequality/racism defining professional dress or hairstyles: who decides & based on what culture's parameters?

Q3. Professionalism is often code for male, white, straight- and cis-presenting, able. Keeps ppl who don't fit these categories 👎 #critlib

@k_swickard @arellanover Thankfully live in Seattle and see all manner of styles; but have been within 2 hours where it's homogeneous, sterilized, white. #critlib

A3 Whatever professionalism is, whatever def you adhere to, it always values sameness. It values policy. It values rules. #critlib

Q3 Used as a cudgel against those who don’t neatly fit into dominant culture or call it into question. #critlib

@maxgbowman Can there be an "anti-professionalism" that values difference and uniqueness and equity? #critlib

A3 There is a price to pay, even if it's just exhaustion, from performing professionalism in a way that is outside your org's norm #critlib

A3 yes: conformity to dominant professional culture. Devalues change and progress. #critlib  https://twitter.com/maxgbowman/status/905242764232798208 …

@maxgbowman A3. Often. But I've worked in places that value policy & still encourage staff to be themselves. Driven by mission more than rules. #critlib

Hot take: "professionalism" is more often than not used as a cudgel to stifle the marginalized #critlib

Sometimes "professional" masks "worker," which can make labor organizing harder. #critlib  https://twitter.com/thegnarrator/status/905242050647470080 …

@edrabinski A3 Yes! The idea that a "professional" is more than just a "mere laborer/worker" is used to wring us dry #critlib

@edrabinski A3 It's the whole "we do it bc we love it" bullshit. It's a profession! It should mean more to you than just a paycheck! #critlib

@edrabinski A3 ...well yeah, but that paycheck also helps me eat/pay med bills/live #critlib

A3. Does your library expect employees to be physically present, clean smelling, smiling, from early morning to night? #critlib  https://twitter.com/TheGnarrator/status/905242050647470080 …

@schomj I don't think the first two are asking too much. Smiling the whole time is just unrealistic #critlib

A3. Does your library expect passion, enthusiasm, constant positive engagement, travel, unpaid research/writing? #critlib

A3. Will your library support you when you try to so All The Things, burn out, hey depression!, and can't produce like you used to? #critlib

A3. Or will your coworkers start saying that you're incompetent and unpleasant and use that to force you out? #critlib

A3. I've been through this (have rebounded from the worst but there was a worst). Unions > professionalism any day #critlib

A3. What is the literacy of professionalism? What's the language? Do you know it automatically? Thinking about privilege. #critlib  https://twitter.com/TheGnarrator/status/905242050647470080 …

Root of why the "buck the stereotype" trend bugs me. Who can afford the privilege of "being unprofessional?" Not most libs of color #critlib  https://twitter.com/TheGnarrator/status/905240678413807616 …

@chiuchiutrain It has been on my mind that knowing the rules and norms, and bending them, are privileges. #critlib

@bembrarian A3 I feel this. There is so much that feels foreign if you are not white, middle to upper middle class. #critlib

@arellanover Another hurdle, another wall to climb over for POC. One that I wish I could identify better and respond to more directly. #critlib

A3 It's almost as if you must know what it means to be professional before you even enter "the profession". How do you learn? #critlib

@abigailleigh Movies. Shows. Parents. Public and private school. Trickle, trickle, trickle. #critlib

@bembrarian A3 some are "professionally literate" & privileged to navigate org culture; many aren't & we fail them, lose their contributions #critlib

A3. Pressure to "dress for the job you want" isn't tenable w/o salary that supports it. Hard on job seekers, PT workers. #critlib

A3 I've seen a lot of "they don't dress professionally" as a lead-in for criticism about someone's lack of drive or goals #critlib

@TheGnarrator a twist on this ... when the non-conforming to professional is make a "mascot" like person ... the "quirky one" #critlib

right, like the Manic Pixie Dream Librarian #critlib  https://twitter.com/lisalibrarian/status/905243454472642560 …

@TheGnarrator "fetishized" is the word I couldn't think of! #critlib

A4B amplify nonconformity. Cultivate a "yes and" attitude (from improv) w/out fetishizing or marginalizing quirkiness #critlib  https://twitter.com/thegnarrator/status/905244378280624130 …

@laurabrarian Yo we for real do improv workshops during staff days at my lib.

@klthoreson yo that totally rocks please come to my library! #critlib

@klthoreson @laurabrarian Interesting! (And terrifying. Are people allowed to not do that or are they then "unprofessional" for not participating?) #critlib

@sfabba @laurabrarian "Professional" also favours "extrovert". And not saying no. #critlib

A3 Also who gets to know what? Is information shared differently with "professionals" and "staff"? #critlib

@mauraweb Ooohhh good question. In my experience this is def the case. #critlib

@mauraweb yes we have that problem, trying to fix it, there is definitely an "us" vs "them" #critlib

@TheGnarrator A3: Who *gets* to be professional? That not everyone in an organization might not be considered "of the profession" is oppressive. #critlib

@arellanover @mauraweb I have seen cases where certain people are intentionally left out of meetings. It's not something I practice though #critlib

@mauraweb as cataloger, work w tech srvcs staff > other librarians, often treated differently in liminal space of that, though librarian #critlib

@TheGnarrator @arellanover Yes, me too -- I try very hard to let everyone know everything (within confidentiality), try not to assume interest. #critlib

@TheGnarrator @arellanover @mauraweb Ugh, the "game of meetings" is one that it seems most people play, and def reinforces hierarchies. #critlib

My experience too, email can't be the only way to share info. #critlib  https://twitter.com/KGWIlkins1/status/905246308260249600 …

Literature of "professionalism" is vast and other fields, like MLA, grapple:  https://www.mla.org/Publications/Journals/Profession … #critlib

I wrote this about professionalism. It's a "core library value" according to ALA. #critlib  http://digitalcommons.liu.edu/brooklyn_libfacpubs/8/ …

See how others define? Engineers: Performed for the benefit of others in an ethical manner.  http://ranger.uta.edu/~carroll/cse4317/profession/tsld003.htm … #critlib

@klmccook Yeah, if only those fields actually pay attention to those professional bodies. My time in CS suggests not really. #critlib

@klmccook I've had some rather depressing conversations about the ACM code of ethics. #critlib

@TheGnarrator How many read that line about a senior colleague's "professionalism" & internalized "contesting sexism isn't professional" That's culture.

@tltroup @TheGnarrator this just made me physically sick to my stomach. bc, yes.

I think I feel a bit too pessimistic tonight to even attempt an answer to Q4. #critlib I'm glad others are not!

A4 My new job is about addressing inclusion in the library. While my focus will be mostly on accessibility and patron access, I... #critlib

intend to dedicate some time to inclusion among library staff because we count too #critlib

A4 Dedicating time to come to a SHARED agreement of workplace responsibilities and values. Including everyone, not just libs #critlib

@arellanover amen to this, SHARED & COMMUNICATED not just implied that some staff person will do it, all parts of the library are important #critlib

A4A: Maybe if professionalism is talked about, differences are acknwoledged, equity principles reinforced within/outside department #critlib  https://twitter.com/TheGnarrator/status/905244083773468672 …

A4 Those of us who can do so should push back/probe when we hear talk abt “professionalism.” Ask: what specifically do you mean? #critlib

I ask my peers to definitely remind me about this. I'm being empowered to ask that question and push back. Help me do it. #critlib  https://twitter.com/jvinopal/status/905245090272174080 …

I’m working on techniques for calling people in on all sorts of stuff. & reminding how certain concepts used against ppl #critlib +

For example: critiquing tone of voice = tone policing. #critlib

A4 #critlib Maybe talk to people in the community? See what they're like and get their perspective on what professional means, y'know?

@VReadsBooks I wonder how many folks in the community would respond with white librarian stereotypes, but it's totally worth a shot! #critlib

@bembrarian True, especially if every other "professional" standard in the community adheres to those as well! #critlib

A4 Early in my career I had no idea what professionalism meant. Not talked about at home. I learned through failing to be the norm. #critlib

A4: Be flexible w/ definition of professionalism, which should entail thinking critically abt it & understanding it's problematic. #critlib  https://twitter.com/TheGnarrator/status/905244083773468672 …

You know what I think... I think insecurity is toxic. If your professionalism is different from mine (& I bet it is), that's okay! #critlib

A4 Librarians aren’t amateurs: just show clients/citizens you know your stuff-double prizes if you end up being called professional #critlib

A4 I'm stuck @ "interrogate yourself when you think 'unprofessional,'" am bad at teaching others. Interested in what others do #critlib

@chiuchiutrain Do you mean when you think “unprofessional” of others? #critlib

@chiuchiutrain Like, question yourself about why you jumped to that conclusion? #critlib

@chiuchiutrain If so, agree. Try to stop myself when I think all kinds of things & wonder: what was tt *really* about? What bias made me say that? #critlib

A4a. Relax. Stop trying to control everything and everyone. #critlib  https://twitter.com/TheGnarrator/status/905244083773468672 …

@schomj But how do we promote this to non-librarians/ignorant admins we have to work with and answer to? #critlib

@TheGnarrator You can't control admins/other librarians. But being unionized provides more bargaining power to reach shares expectations #critlib

A4: part of transforming professional to me is institutions approaching inclusion by valuing diverse work experience 1 #critlib

A4: more places want librans who can work w/ diverse communities, promote SJ but only if resume looks same as every other applicant #critlib

A4: ppl who can connect with new communities, practice radical empathy, bridge gaps usually won't have taken the same route 3 #critlib

A4. Training? I feel like more training on diversity and mental health can't hurt. would help staff understand each other better. #critlib

A4 Stretch what people expect professional library staff look/act like–unite knowledge & friendly support 4 your library community #critlib

A5. I try to be kind, empathetic, sympathetic. But also curious. And critical with open lines of communication, friendliness. #critlib  https://twitter.com/TheGnarrator/status/905246859622567937 …

A5: Not sure I know, except that I try to be true to myself & my values & proceed from there. TBH, length of time in a place helps. #critlib  https://twitter.com/TheGnarrator/status/905246859622567937 …

Q5 There is a significant amount of privilege in this answer, bc I've only sought jobs while already employed, but as person who, #critlib

Identifies as queer & gender non-conforming, I've just stopped apologizing. Because what I was apologizing for was my existence. #critlib

I'd always gone into interviews/jobs feeling like a burden (sometimes still do), but I try hard to view the knowledge that I bring #critlib

as an asset. If for no other reason than being visible to our larger campus community. #critlib

A5 All that I can think of is how much time I spent figuring out an interview outfit... I even went SHOE SHOPPING!!! #critlib

One can debate how much of that is dress expectations for librarians/job candidates and gender role expectations with clothes #critlib

@metageeky I once had a colleague and good friend criticize my interview outfit for being "unprofessional". Wait, what? #critlib

@abigailleigh @metageeky I'm curious what was unprofessional about it. One time I wore red shoes (OXFORDS, but the color of blood) and I think I was judged. #critlib

@bembrarian @metageeky Her idea of professional dress is very blazer, dress pants, blouse. That's not me. I want to reflect who I am as much as I can. #critlib

I didn't even realize how how closely professionalism and clothing/appearance were tied but wow. #critlib

@metageeky Oh, the hours and hours that I have done the very same thing. It's torture. Both figuring out the outfit & shoe shopping! #critlib

@TheGnarrator A5 with great difficulty, esp if you don't have $. tons of convos w LIS students re interviews on this, esp women. #critlib

@TheGnarrator A5 think is especially hard applying for aclib jobs since so often there is a dinner night before. not 1 outfit but 2! #critlib

@abigailleigh @bembrarian @metageeky Yes. I've usually tried to second-guess dressing for interviews in ways that could fit in whether panel was dressed up or down. #critlib

@TheGnarrator A5 plus, what is it ok to wear straight off the airplane when they pick you up? breaks my heart the pain students go thru w this. #critlib

@TheGnarrator I've fought w HR on this. "we cannot take them there if we want to actually RECRUIT them to our lib" #critlib

@lisalibrarian Changing in the airport bathroom is a thing I have done several times. #critlib

A5 This is SO HARD to do when you are unemployed. Responsibility is on library to make candidates feel comfortable. #critlib

@arellanover Maybe should revisit this conversation in another #critlib chat on hiring committees?

A5. As a job seeker... if you're seeking out of want, go ahead and be you If you're seeking out of need, be enthusiastically fake #critlib  https://twitter.com/TheGnarrator/status/905246859622567937 …

A5. Authenticity is a privilege. And that sucks, but new people (esp lgbtq+ and disabled folks) -- be careful with your self! #critlib

Agreed. One way forward is to help colleagues, especially new to org, feel comfortable w/ being themselves. Foster authenticity. #critlib  https://twitter.com/schomj/status/905248622245289987 …

A5 So much of this is wrapped up with privilege: who has privilege to push back, to question cultural norms? #critlib

@jvinopal This is a really difficult thing--when you push back against norms you can be seen as "unprofessional" but you can't break down the issues 1

@TheGnarrator Yeah a catch-22. And it’s takes privilege to also call attention to your calling out, which is a way to disarm defensive disagreement

A5 tried to type something similar for like 5 minutes (argh, brains), cosign 👇🏻 #critlib  https://twitter.com/jvinopal/status/905248326685261826 …

A5 #critlib Uhhhh, #uncomfortabletruths I kinda think I don't. I interview in whitewashed ways and wait till I see $$ to shift.

@chiuchiutrain #REALNESS #critlib

A5. Already said, but authenticity is a privilege. Those with priv should help make space for others to be authentic selves too. #critlib

@klthoreson That's very true. I realize how privileged I am even be able to attempt being authentic. #critlib

A5. I've learned a lot from asking staff across the organization how they deal w situations that are emotional labor for me. #critlib

@TheGnarrator Many thanks for hosting tonight's #critlib chat! Really appreciated the questions and the responses.

@TheGnarrator Thank you for hosting! I haven’t been on #critlib since I started my new job. Looking forward to the next one.

Thanks for a great #critlib everyone and for awesome modding @TheGnarrator !

Thanks for moderating great #critlib chat @TheGnarrator, and to all participants. Always get inspo from these to ✊️✊️✊️.

Thanks for a great chat tonight everyone and thanks to @TheGnarrator for moderating! #critlib

Great #critlib tonight, thanks to @TheGnarrator for challenging questions, and to all who shared on a rather itchy topic.

@TheGnarrator Also, how PROFESSIONAL is it to thank people. #relevant #critlib (But seriously. Thank you.)

Hooray for #critlib. Thanks, all.

Sorry to have missed tonight's #critlib but so glad to read through the discussion: reflects some painful reality but also support--thanks!

Catching up on some #critlib chat from last night. tbh the reading & qns made me expect more about 'the profession' than 'professionalism'.

UK perspective is that it does seem possible to discuss LIS-as-profession and what that means eg. for ethics (hello @ijclark). #critlib