Speaking the Language

I am sure this is going to ruffle someone's feathers, but that's ok.  A good librarian has something in the collection to offend everyone.

One of my great desires is to travel.  I have been to several locations around my own country and am currently planning a trip to the country to our north, but I don't feel as if I have truly traveled.  I would love to visit Europe.  I am also intrigued by the Japanese culture and would like to see it firsthand. 

I know that were I to visit those foreign lands, I would need to do some research.  I would want to learn about their customs, become capable of speaking a few words of their language and being a history buff, I would want to know about the places I would see and what events they represent in that country's history. I would want to do this not only because I think it would make my trip more enjoyable, but because I think it would make me a better guest in their country.  Being able to "speak the language" allows you to have a better exchange of ideas, invites discussion and enhances your trip. It shows respect.

It's the same in business.  Many librarians I have spoken to tend to dismiss the need to "speak the language".  They meet with business leaders, government officials or others outside their own realm, and yet they continue to speak library-ese.  The terms circulation, collection development and patrons all mean something very different to the non-librarian.  Business leaders want to know about the bottom line, positive PR and (let's be honest) what's in it for them.  Government officials are interested in tax bases, government mandates and voter satisfaction.  If we are to visit these "foreign lands" and experience some success in our travels, we need to speak the language.  

This principle carries over in other areas too.  If you visit some of the land in the Middle East, you have to be aware of what you wear.  Many countries have a culturally-based dress code.  Men don't wear shorts, women have their heads covered.  You can choose to not participate, but don't get mad when your individuality rubs people the wrong way. 

Again, it's the same in the non-library world.  Individuality is all well and good, but if you choose to present to a group of business leaders wearing something that is more ideal for, say, a Celtic festival, don't be upset if they choose to not take you seriously.  There is a language and dress for the culture.  Do your research, learn about the place you're visiting and speak the language. 

I don't say this to disrespect individuality; rather I say this because we need to respect those who we are asking to become share-holders in our library; those to whom we are turning for financial aid, to advocate for us, to be library champions.  You show respect to another's culture and language by learning about it, by sharing it and by participating in it.  I say we should do the same when we leave our library world and enter the business world, the government world or any other profession.  Learn the culture and speak the language.