Comments for Librarian07's Weblog

Comment on Workplace Decisions by robin

robin — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:20:53 +0000

I definitely believe that colleagues, no matter where they fall on the hierarchical structure, CAN be friends. In fact, at one of my recent conferences one of the presenters made a really good point. What about those situations where it can’t be avoided? Say you work in a small-town, where you’re actually friends with everyone. Well, you’re going to be supervising some of them and working under some of them, so figure out a way to make it work.

The dynamic is very interesting, and there will always be those folks who can’t really handle it. When I was Head Librarian I knew which ones I could call my friends and which ones simply couldn’t navigate that transition. So you treat each employee (or supervisor) accordingly.

It always amazes me when people have that very old-fashioned way of looking at coworkers, as though you shouldn’t ever get close to them or form friendships with anyone. But we spend more time with our coworkers than we do with our very closest “friends” outside of work. If there’s anyone you should be able to trust, it’s your coworkers. In fact, I know some of my coworkers better than I know my best friend (and I’ve known her since kindergarten).

This is another one of those situations where the ivory-tower or conventional wisdom may not apply when you get into the real world, and that becomes crystal clear after a few months of actual supervision, as I’m sure you’ve figured out. Bottom line is you do what’s comfortable for you, while respecting what’s comfortable for other folks too. And if you lose a few friends in the process, they were never friends to begin with, so you treat them like subordinates and move on.

Comment on Workplace Decisions by Ivy

Ivy — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:35:16 +0000

>I believe that friendship is partly based on mutual respect for one another; a respect for one another’s opinion; choices, etc

If that’s part of it, then what are the other parts? I’d say the other parts of friendship are close and personal. Friends are people you tell your secrets to, your hopes and dreams and rants and desires and truths.

A subordinate-superior relationship, while also partly based on respect, is also based on a hierarchical and political dynamic, as opposed to a close, personal one. I consider my friends and I to be on the same (or at least a similar) level. My supervisors or my subordinates, by their very nature, cannot be.

That’s not to say that there isn’t some overlap in the Venn diagram of workplace relationships and friendships, and I think our environment demonstrates that exceptionally well. And that’s not to say that one can’t or shouldn’t supervise one’s friends. But I think assuming the dynamics between the two types of relationships is identical is shortsighted and idealistic.

To address the real question, “should that friend decline this opportunity?”: Because of friendship? Absolutely not. The only reason a person should accept or decline an opportunity like that should be based on that person’s personal reasons, and not what any of his or her friends think. If that person’s friend thought she should jump off a bridge, would she be swayed in that regard? I think you should make your decisions for yourself and your values and what’s important to you.

Comment on Is it me? by Ivy

Ivy — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:09:29 +0000

I was wondering if maybe they weren’t at such a worskshop because they knew they were perhaps lacking in the social/customer service skills area and wanted to learn how to improve their skills?

Comment on Is it me? by robin

robin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:53:38 +0000

Interesting… I think maybe the librarian to patron relationship is easier than the librarian to librarian relationship because in the former we’re in a position of power and there are a set of rules or procedures that guide our interactions. I also think that online social networking is way easier than doing it face-to-face.

Comment on How far is too far? by Lucy

Lucy — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:06:22 +0000

Further complicating the matter are the differing perspespectives from which we (me and my employer) operate — library school-trained as opposed to business school-trained. So yes, this will continue to be a conundrum; but one that I am willing to navigate.

Comment on How far is too far? by robin

robin — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 07:16:01 +0000

To play devil’s advocate for a moment… Do you think your employer feels the same way? Or would they rather you spend your time on other things? And I mean that as a legitimate question because I can see both sides. On the one hand, they have a right to be stingy with your time, but on the other, they want us to have a bright and shiny reputation which this encounter helped to enable. Interesting conundrum.

Comment on Administrative Lessons Learned by librarian07

librarian07 — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:54:44 +0000

LOL! Of course you do my dear! This is why, to me, you are and will always be the Renaissance Librarian!

p.s. I will have to shadow you as you work through the calculations (again!)

Comment on Administrative Lessons Learned by Ivy

Ivy — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:36:35 +0000

I use algebra to calculate how much available space we have left in the stacks. Just sayin.’

Comment on Exciting project by robin

robin — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:30:11 +0000

I really love that this project gives the Dean of Education a whole different perspective on what we do. Sortof a more in-the-trenches version. That’s almost better than what we hope to acheive with the students!

Comment on Ode to Librarianship by Ivy

Ivy — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:19:01 +0000

I too wonder if that feeling will subside, and while I’m sure someday it will, in the meantime I plan on squeezing every drop out of it while it’s there.