On whose authority?

Speaking from an earnest mind, heart and soul, the term authority hit me hard, beginning 2022. I was at a cross road, where 10 years serving a community, experience wise, has brought me good times, bad times and ugly times. The lecture on Monday (03/10/2022) brought back an assortment of emotions. Having a LIC (Librarian in charge) to overlook me time and time again has done damage, (not permanently)This blog allows me to express what I really feel. It is ultimately an outlet of what I've experienced on a daily basis.

 Studying and working simultaneously has it own set of challenges to begin with; working amongst different people from different households, cultures and different views on how things should transpire, is a different ball game all together. My initial perspective on what it means to obtain a BLIS degree was that my voice would be heard and organizational structure would run its course. This is far from what I'd been experiencing over the course of my 10 years of working within Library and Information Services. The potato peels have expired and slid down my cheeks. Authority in the work place is primarily about the following (sadly, regardless of what is taught in class) age, so called experience, economical status and concocting plans to uplift one's stature, by any means possible ('stealing' safe keys so that others' would be suspected, 'miraculously', finding it, or secretly recording gossip between line-manager and subordinate (recorder). Sadly, the harsh reality is that people in the workplace (especially assistant librarians, not everyone) feel threatened by others' taking that step towards university degree.      

The image above portrays what I have been peening down in this post: facts matter, nothing else.

About two months ago, panic took hold of our LIC (an assistant librarian had 'blackmailed' the librarian in question) and ultimately looking out for her pension fund and also fear of what might transpire, our LIC transferred to another library. Everyone was sad to see her go, except me. I was relieved, for the fact that a new horizon (new LIC) has finally made its appearance. Education in any shape or form is valuable and therefore I have learnt from this encounter that being a manager, one must be fair, objective and observant at all times.  While no one is perfect and have to work toward being exemplary, this season (if allowed), I found myself in,  has taught me how prevent situations as above mentioned.  

This new LIC is a breathe of fresh air, also very exhausting on the lungs as I have never been so excited to learn new things and at the same time, dead- tired when the last bell rings to close up shop for the day. In short the experience I have gained in this short period, I have a new-found respect for Librarianship. Having more responsibilities, having a line-manager that actually listens to my ideas and opinions; following and allowing organizational structure instead of following instructions given by (an subordinate) assistant librarian who wants to control the strings behind the curtain. Authority in this sense can be dangerous if given to the unqualified person. Authority in this sense is dependent on who brings what to the table; unfairly taking (without qualification) or forcing authority (blackmail), in essence so called trust is acquired and information is deemed worthy.  In this sense, on being information literate have taught me to be observant of information and also misinformation. Finally I understand the importance of having any degree, leading up to my final year; bits of information fed at the right time. It is not about separating the so-called 'cream from the crop', It is generously given (not without sweat, sleepless nights and tears) to those individuals as a result of their harnessing efforts and hard-work!  https://guides.lib.lsu.edu/c.php?g=1163018&p=8490531