This Is What Librarians Look Like

Anyone who has been following my blog for a while knows that on occasion I do like to address the persisting stereotype of what a librarian looks like. 
 

She's a librarian.
Image via http://lookslikelibraryscience.com

When many people think of librarians, they immediately envision a middle aged-to-elderly white woman with silver or greying hair that is either cut short or worn in an updo (like a bun). They see her as wearing eyeglasses and sensible shoes, minimal or no jewelry or makeup, and clothing that many would describe as "dowdy." Toss in a cardigan for good measure. I know that the librarians I had throughout elementary and high school pretty much fit this description.
 

So is she.
Image via http://lookslikelibraryscience.com

Looking around my MLS classes today, I do see that nearly half of my classmates are white women. However, there are also quite a few men and people of color who are working toward being degreed librarians or archivists. Yet most people still don't envision a man or a person of color when they're asked to think about what a librarian looks like. But the image of the librarian is changing.
 

He's a librarian, too.
Image via http://lookslikelibraryscience.com

I recently came across a Tumblr blog that is "challenging the librarian stereotype one post at a time," according to its header. Aptly named This Is What a Librarian Looks Like, the blog features viewer-submitted photographs of librarians who feel that they don't fit the staid and frumpy librarian stereotype.
 

As is she.
Image via http://lookslikelibraryscience.com

Coming from all across the United States and around the world, the photo submissions include a refreshing array of not only what today's librarians look like, but also what they like to do (and no, it's not shushing). Quite a few are seen belly dancing, playing in rock bands, riding motorcycles, holding boa constrictors, and skating on roller derby teams. This ain't your grade-school librarian...or is it?
 

So is he. Can you believe it?
Image via http://lookslikelibraryscience.com

If you want to savor a diverse representation of the modern librarian, take a look at This Is What a Librarian Looks Like blog at THIS LINK.