Thursday
Mar052009
How do you draw a librarian?
Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 11:37AM I have commissioned my creative son to do illustrations for a new book I'm writing. Here's a pretty good 
question from him:
I had a funny question about Head for the Edge- what's a telltale sign that a person looks like a librarian? It seems silly but when I think drawing a librarian my instinct tells me to draw the stereotypical lady in a big dress with round glasses and a hair in a bun (sorry). Any ideas that would make a person look like a librarian without them literally having a name tag on there shirt that says so? I'm probably going to go out and do some life drawings this weekend before I start with the sketches- maybe get some more ideas.
Ideas?
Reader Comments (20)
A nice friendly smile, for one!
We look like psychopaths, politicians, doctors, bankers, waiters, waitresses, teachers, writers, golfers, bowlers, photographers, dancers, and even rock stars.
In sort, we look just like anyone else.
I've seen librarians in suits, young, old, pink hair with a nose ring, etc. You just never know.
My son's friend, when he learned I was a librarian, immediately pushed his glasses to the end of his nose, gave me the "shush" finger at his mouth, and asked, "Do you have to do THIS when you go to work?"
Ha!
Rely on props/setting? Although I guess you could argue that the stack of books is no longer the ubiquitous librarian prop, either!
Tell him to find a way to include knives or razors because we are so cutting edge!! Bleeding all over the place!
Interesting. In my school division, we are almost all women so you can start with that I suppose. It doesn't hold in the university and public library sectors though. I agree with teacherninja we could look like anyone but that doesn't give much guidance. "The librarian" may simply have to be a different look in every drawing, maybe they could have some common logo on their clothing rather than all having a bun and glasses. Just a thought. Now what the logo would be...
Have you seen some of the posters that the Australian librarians have done? They have them in their web cards section. They are copyrighted but would be great for inspiration. I just love their ideas! See if this link: http://www.alia.org.au/alianet/webcards/ (Maybe it’s because I picture myself as a “hero.”) Students are often saying, “Ms. Chandler, you just saved my life!” when I’ve helped them with an assignment. I know it’s a little melodramatic, but it still makes me feel good!
They should definitely be wearing a flash drive on a lanyard around their neck! And look very fit, although I'm not particularly, from all the running around each day. Maybe several hats?
Check us out in NJ: http://www.njlibraries.org/index.php?county=Burlington
I only wish that the image matched my body type!
Well, perhaps a picture of a middle-aged woman, with her hair up, trying to look at the bottom shelf of books through her bifocals. That would mean standing on one shoulder, weaving her head about to get the titles in focus. Then, right beside that picture, could be the same middle-aged woman, with her hair down (perhaps looking like Julia Roberts will in a few years), helping a student (on a computer), while taking photos of the group for the yearbook. On the other hand, any picture that made librarians look like Julia Roberts or Clive Owen would be beneficial to the admissions offices of schools of librarianship.
I would draw us smiling/laughing, definitely NOT sshhhing people, and enjoying ourselves immensely.
Thanks for everyone's great suggestions. I passed them on to Brady. I believe the common denominator here is that a positive image is essential!
Doug
What about with a book and a computer surrounded by students?
Hi June,
Thanks for the help. I will post a couple of Brady's drawings soon. Watch for them!
Doug
Doug---I am so bummed! Look and the multi-tasking FEMALE librarian and the MALE has a briefcase and appears to be leaving the workplace...accurate perhaps but not very flattering!
How cool is this? I am sending my post from the Ceasar's Palace ( yes in Las Vegas, NV!)Apple store...I jsut updated my school webpage. Technology is grand!
Hi Sally,
He is probably just drawing from what he saw around home: Anne working like crazy and me coasting!
I think you should re-think your priorities if you are using your vacation to update your webpage!
Have fun and win lots of money.
Doug
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Betty
http://desktopmemory.info
Hi Betty,
Thanks for the kind words. Please keep commenting. It's readers who voice their ideas who give all blogs their greatest value!
All the best,
Doug
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Betty
http://desktopmemory.info
With a good eyeglasses for a librarian would be good enough.
how to draw people