Librarian Action Figure
This is pretty much old news by now. Many of the library discussion lists have been falling over themselves for weeks disapproving of Archie McPhee's Librarian Action Figure, due for release in October.
Sure, the model, Seattle Public Library's Nancy Pearl, is depicted wearing a conservative blue suit, practical shoes, and holds her hand at the ready to "shush" (the figure has "Amazing push-button Shushing Action"). But the doll is meant dispell rather than reinforce the stereotypes that librarians are dry, humorless creatures. The reaction of librarians to this whimsical toy, however, has done nothing to disprove the stereotype. The chat on the electic librarian shows the spectrum of library responses.
Still a few people get it. On the PUBLIB (Public Library) Listserv, Karen G. Schneider, of the Librarians' Index to the Internet, says: "I'm again wondering why I should be offended to be stereotyped as an earnest, intellectually-inclined do-gooder with tidy hair and a friendly disposition. ... Regardless of our dress and hairstyles, we [librarians] are very hip, in our own way, and I think that's what the action figure is all about. Frankly, I'm going to champion my inner librarian today, and comb my hair!"
At least Nancy Pearl's hometown appreciates their own. The Seattle Times says: "Nancy Pearl is already a woman of action: innovator, iconoclast, radio personality and author of an upcoming book with the word "Lust" in its title. But in the next month or so, it will be official. She'll join the ranks of Jesus, Sigmund Freud, Rosie the Riveter, Nico the Barista and a striped-shirted hipster/philosopher named Fuzz. What puts Pearl, executive director of the Washington Center for the Book, into such heady company? She's the model for a 5-inch-tall plastic "action figure" by Seattle-based Accoutrements, parent company of Ballard's Archie McPhee store, where zany meets kitschy meets glow-in-the-dark."
On a related note, maybe if Mattel had gotten more than 3 percent response rate for career choices in their recent survey, there would be a cute Barbie librarian now too. [For the record, the adult poll has 3% librarian, 93% architect, and 2% policewoman where the kids poll has 17% librarian, 69% architect, and 12% policewoman. Go kids!]
Posted by Tom on September 23, 2003
