The Male Medical Librarian: A Misunderstood Minority

Abstract

Males make up approximately 20% of library staffs yet little is known about this rare reclusive species. Are they all aggressive, promotion-stealing, NASCAR-loving, beer-drinking Neanderthals or effete girly-men living in their parents' basements devoid of ambition who settle for easy jobs? What special hurdles do they encounter and what perks come with being in a minority in the workplace? Our study tries to delve into the truth of this misunderstood minority.

Keywords:

• discrimination
• gender issues
• male librarians
• males in female professions
• nontraditional occupations
• stereotypes

Notes

¹All first-person expressions refer to author Michael C. Schott, except in “The Majority Opinion,” where first-person expressions refer to author Elizabeth Connor.