To be shocked the librarian was so poorly read?

[bendmeoverbackwards]

In the library recently reserving some books for dd. Librarian had not heard of A Handmaid’s Tale and did not know that As you Like It was written by Shakespeare.

These are not exactly obscure books!

AIBU?

@SunnydaleClassProtector99

Knowing about books and loving reading is so important. And nothing fosters a love of reading more than a, "Didn't you know that. How silly. It's common knowledge" attitude.

All this thread will have taught those less well read they'd better brush up on titles rather than reading widely to complement their own likes and interests.
It's exactly this snobbery of what people 'should' read that puts people off.
Back of a cereal packet, graphic novel, comic, Vogue, Harry Potter.
Does it matter as long as you enjoy it and it nurtures and grows that love and skill.

I'd be very surprised if there were more than a handful of people who have read both books in the title.
But sure they can name them.

Oh, you sooo miss the point - its almost laughable, except that you represent the masses!! Though I desperately wish you don't the point is that a librarian represents the point of discussion! The point where an individual who disagrees with the consensus can turn to, to research how to disagree! The point of a qualified Librarian is not to have a final opinion but rather to encourage the individual on how to argue further - how to disagree. In literature there is not right or wrong! Hitler believed that his right to knowing the right or wrong meant he should burn books! This is not meant to discourage you to disagree with me, only to point out that what extreme disagreement leads to! A librarian's role is not to tell what an individual should believe in, rather to allow them to look further - to garner information etc. Hence why in the last 30 years they've been required to have degrees! Yet many believe this is equivalent to giving beauticians degrees. Its not the same!!! Any librarian of any value has an amazing wealth of knowledge that should be rev-erred not scorned!

The woman who runs the library here is a retired welfare rights worker.

That’s far, far more part of her job than books are between the uniform and clothing bank being based there, the groups held there, people needing the phones and PCs for benefit claims and for help accessing council and other services.

The need for those services are the only reason the library is still open.

am off to bed! Happy to continue my fight in the morn/aft tomorrow! But believe me, if we undervalue librarians we undervalue a source of knowledge that is accountable! Dr. Google is not accountable and whilst most of us understand that principle veyr few of us understand the working value of what we've signed up to! We can put in search command and retrieve loads of responses, but how many of those responses do we really know are valued??? V. few. We laugh at those individuals who use Dr. Google for information on our family, but???? The point I'm trying to make is that a known resource that HAS to tell us a believed truth is about to die. No, I'm not asking you for a sudden rescue because its too late - but what's left? Do you truly believe Dr Google will give you an answer that is not financially biased? Sorry but saving our libraries is long gone, but I'm curious what is the mumsnet answer for the future????

@SoapboxFox

Not really , not everyone has been fortunate to have had a decent education or been exposed to these books

Well said.

exactly. this is basically a class issue. it comes down to : wow, there are people who don't have my background and advantages !
how is that even possible !

I'd rather represent the masses than whatever you seem to represent.
Are you comparing people's disagreement with ayli being essential knowledge to Hitler burning books? Because that's just ridiculous.
Saying cut library workers some slack does not a tyranny make.
Think you've been reading too much dystopian fiction.

@QuestPerSay

Actually, think anyone who can't name the writer of As You Like It is an employment risk anywhere...

I suggest you pose this question to your plumber, electrician and doctor before you accept any service from them. Because you would hate to be a hypocrite, right?

Exactly Alex.
And the same people saying knowing As You Like It is essential for employment in this thread will be the same ones moaning people are on jobseekers instead of working.

I've never heard such literary snobbishness and I did a literature degree with some right old snobs.

Shakespeare himself wasn't from a privileged background. A victim of snobbery in his own time. Some things never change. Same shit. Different era.

That's like expecting supermarket checkout operators to know every single product the supermarket stocks. Unfair and incredibly judgemental of you.

@QuestPerSay

Actually, think anyone who can't name the writer of As You Like It is an employment risk anywhere...

Do you really, genuinely believe that or did you just think it sounded like a clever comment to make?

Imaginary plumbers aside.
Naming mediocre Shakespeare plays is not really what I am looking for in people.
I look for empathy and understanding which you clearly lack in spades.
I'm pleased to hear you work with books because you need to work on your people skills.

Being a judgemental arsehole about volunteers and a complete snob all in one post. Well done you.

@QuestPerSay

Do you really, genuinely believe that or did you just think it sounded like a clever comment to make?

Well, in certain circumstances (e.g. someone EXTREMELY good at a limited field of expertise in a role where they're never expected to think beyond their field of expertise) I'd make allowances.

In most circumstances, lacking this knowledge, for me, is akin to not being able to name the last 3 prime ministers.
If you'd want to employ someone who couldn't do that - crack on, someone needs to employ them. For me? Hell no.

Ooo aren't you edgy.

The level of snobbery on this thread is unreal.

Some people really seem to have no idea what libraries are actually mainly used for now.

I started a protest for Libraries in Lincolnshire when I was 16 and it made it onto main news, we managed to suspend closures of many libraries across Lincolnshire and maintain the library buses that visit the elderly in the villages, the councilors really wanted to close them all which cost wise I can understand but it wasn't fair on poor families and the elderly who relied on them . Many counties weren't as lucky with initial fund reductions done through downsizing spaces and replacing trained librarians with volunteers

Perhaps, but I can name Shakespeare and Atwood and have read both.
Which would put me in your elitist general knowledge club.
But quite frankly, I'd rather live in ignorance about what libraries do.
Based on your nasty snobbery, I'm assuming you're referring to some sort of ritual sacrifice of people who can't name the minor characters in Romeo and Juliet.