Summary

Mattel's introduction of diverse Barbies, including a Librarian Barbie, has sparked playful and relatable suggestions from actual librarians about what characteristics their doll counterparts would embody.

Abstract

Mattel has expanded its Barbie line to represent a wider range of diversity, inspiring librarians to envision a "Librarian Barbie" that reflects their own unique traits and daily experiences. These include a Barbie who hums storytime songs, one who excels at finding items, and another who is adept at managing challenging library situations, such as dealing with overdue books or difficult patrons. The librarians' imaginative ideas highlight the humor and reality of library work, emphasizing the passion and dedication of librarians despite budget constraints and the desire for retirement. The article, written by Roz Warren, a writing coach, editor, and author of books on library humor, invites readers to contribute their own Librarian Barbie concepts and promotes her works, including "Our Bodies, Our Shelves."

Opinions

Librarians have a sense of humor about their profession, as evidenced by the playful and tongue-in-cheek descriptions of Librarian Barbie personas.
There is a strong sense of identity and pride in the librarian community, with each Barbie variation reflecting common scenarios and skills specific to library work.
The article suggests that librarians are resourceful and resilient, capable of performing

Introducing Librarian Barbie!

Now With Special Eye-Rolling Function

Mattel is rolling out a bunch of new Barbies in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and abilities, so that everyone who wants to play with a Barbie can have one who is just like them! This inspired me to ask my librarian pals, “If there were a Librarian Barbie who was just like you, what would they be like?”

Here’s what they came up with:

Constantly Humming Songs from Story Time Barbie.

I Can Find Anything Barbie

It Was Not In That Condition When You Checked It Out Barbie

Born to Shelve Barbie

Your Account is Blocked Barbie

The Perfect Book-Recommending Barbie

Old Enough To Be My Co-worker’s Mother Barbie

Terrified To Pick Up the Phone Because You Know it’s “That Patron” Barbie

Been Here Forever and I Still Love My Job Barbie

No, I Haven’t Read Every Book in the Library Barbie

Fixing the Printer is my Superpower Barbie

Don’t Mess with Me I Have a Library Degree Barbie

Permanently Exhausted Barbie. (Comes with a mug of coffee and a little pot of eye cream that will never do anything to help those eye bags.)

Soft-hearted Fine-Waiving Barbie

How Soon Until Retirement Barbie

Can’t Shelve Without Singing the Alphabet Song Quietly To Herself Barbie

Please Come To My Program Barbie

I Can Perform Miracles With An Ever-shrinking Budget Barbie

Trying to Be Helpful but Today I Really Just Want to Be on the Beach Barbie

If you work in a library and don’t see yourself on this list? Please share your own Library Barbie idea in the Comments Section.

( Writing Coach and editor-for-hire Roz Warren is the author of Our Bodies, Our Shelves: A Collection of Library Humor, and Just Another Day At Your Local Public Library. If you want to buy inscribed copies, invite her to speak at your next “in service” day, or just want to say hi, you can reach her at [email protected])

Why You Should Drop Everything and Buy a Copy of OUR BODIES, OUR SHELVES: A COLLECTION OF LIBRARY…

You’re Stuck At Home. Maybe Forever. You Need a Good Laugh.

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