Should men be allowed to work as childrens librarians?

Question

I've applied for 2 positions at the library I work at. The first time it was as a childrens librarian and they told me I was totally unqualified to serve the position and had no experience with children. I could buy that. I then applied a few months later for 2 positions as the lowest rung librarian who serves all the different departments including childrens. I was informed that I did not know what the position entailed and was not suitable for it. Now I have my Masters in Library and Information Science. And it turns out that they hired two girls with no experience and no MLIS.

It appears to me that they do not want men to ever serve in the childrens department. Perhaps they feel parents will be creeped out by it? The question remains 1.Should men be allowed to work as childrens librarians? and 2. Does the above story sound like a breech of ethics?

Adding to information. Yes I'm a white male. I'm married and have a baby girl. I have my masters. I'm more upset because Librarian jobs don't open up very often and I want a full time position that uses my degree so I can support my family. Right now I have a position that doesn't even require being a college graduate.

Pay would be the same whether a person with degree as me got it or a person without degree. Cost is not the concern. Position already had stated pay rate.

Answer 1

Um, I've always had male librarians at all the school libraries I've worked at...

Our local library has both male and female librarians in all sections.

It will be very hard for you to prove why you were not hired however... and they may consider you overqualified for the lower rung positions... at least that may be their spin on it.

Good luck to you though, you may have a fight on your hands.

Answer 2

I completely think what they did was discrimination - but how do you really PROVE it? To think of it, every librarian I've ever seen whether it be at school or at the libraries was always a woman - except for my college library. It may have something to do with the fact that men are more likely to be sexual preditors or something and the people hiring don't want to take the risk? And maybe it's true that parents don't want their children around a male librarian. Also, I know as a child I always felt more comfortable with a female librarian, teacher, etc. than a male.

Answer 3

Sounds to me as if your salary requirements may be too high. They hired young girls with no qualifications to fill the positions. Those girls were probably happy to take minimum wage jobs. You need to apply to libraries which can afford to pay for qualified help. Of course, you then probably couldn't afford to live in the city you're working in. My longest-time friend is a librarian, but she specialized as a law librarian. Again, there aren't many jobs available, but at least she has a specific skill within the field. If being a librarian is so important to you, I'd suggest you specialize in an understaffed area.

Answer 4

Obviously this is a breech of ethics. This is probably not uncommon though. I hate to whine but middle-class, white males sure do get the shaft pretty often nowadays. You are undoubtedly overly qualified for the jobs. I am pretty sure four plus years of college studying specifically library sciences qualifies you for almost any librarian position. This is an act on unequal employment and should probably be reported.

Answer 5

You are definitely being shafted. Your education and background should allow you to work in any section of the library.
Choosing to hire uneducated (uh, perhaps mis-educated) women over you does seem like a breach of ethics.

I see absolutely nothing wrong with men working as children's librarians, or anything else to do with children. Some men are far better with children than some women are.
I'd ask the library why you are not being hired -- it sounds like a sexual discrimination case.

Out of curiosity, do people who work in children's libraries have to have criminal record checks and be fingerprinted like teachers do? I think anyone who works with children should have to be.

Answer 6

These businesses are discriminating against your sex, and since you are applying at publicly funded places it's illegal. Not sure if you want to go to the trouble, but if you reported the occurrences to the proper authorities you would likely have a very viable case. And, yes, I think that men could be wonderful librarians. After all, there are male kindergarten teachers, and why would only one of the two be acceptable?

Answer 7

This sounds like a case of discrimination based on your sex. It would be likely that you could seek redress in a court or talk to your states department of labour. Should you find a job such as this and knowing what the employer thinks you will have to act in a very above board fashion.

Is is a real shame because men make great role models for both little boys and girls.

Answer 8

I feel that your experience is a breech in the code of ethics. At the library in my hometown, we had both male and female librarians in the childrens' section. There were no difficulties with men in the section.

Answer 9

Yes, men should be able to be librarians, and if you had had your masters when you were turned down I would say it smelled, but if you were not qualified, you can't complain. Maybe the girls who got hired at least had worked with kids.

Bottom line: Don't expect to get a job you aren't qualified for.

Answer 10

Sadly in this world men are being perceived a perverts and sexual offenders. Did you know it is Qantas policy that all children can not be seated next to an adult male. So what you say is no surprise!

Not all men are sex offenders, most despises thous who pray on children and yet we are portrayed through the media as bashes, rapers and pedophiles! This is unjust and unethical but accepted practice that condones employers associated with children's welfare not to employ males. This thinking and practice is sadly becoming more common.

Answer 11

Why should a male be a children's librarian. You should file a grievance, call your congressman, and the newspaper. Maybe one of these source can find out why they did not hire the best person for the job.

Good Luck