to MLS or not to MLS
mailto:MACQUEEN@ACFCLUSTER.NYU.EDU
Tue, 6 Dec 1994 13:14:44 -0400
Message-Id: <mailto:199412061818.MAA11328@library.wustl.edu>
Date: Tue, 6 Dec 1994 13:14:44 -0400
From: mailto:MACQUEEN@ACFCLUSTER.NYU.EDU>
Subject: to MLS or not to MLS
To: Multiple recipients of list IMAGELIB
My ethernet connection has been done three weeks so I'm just chipping into
the job position debate. My question is: which comes first the chicken or
the egg?
How did many slide collections turned libraries come into existence? Because
a secretary or clerical worker or graduate assistant or asst.professor was
asked to organize a few images which became a few more...let your imagination
fly.
Did the task determine (through experience) the expertise level of the person
in the position or did the professional status of the person in position
determine the requirements of the task? It's a twisted futile question
except that it points to an issue that's important to all of us - no matter
how we got here (personally speaking I'm an artist, god forbid, working as
a slide curator, not a librarian, god forbid, in a slide collection, not a
library, god forbid.)
The issue is ensuring fair access to job opportunities, competency in handling
responsibilities, respect for our job positions and decent work conditions
including wages and benefits. I could appreciate a discussion of downplaying
job descriptions as a means of diminishing salary expectations and the like,
but, turf...smurf, who needs it?
Kathleen MacQueen, slide curator
Dept. of Art & Art Professions, NYU