Changing Glasses: Does Our World Look Different as a Vendor or a Librarian?

Abstract

Librarians and the vendors work very closely together to ensure that information flows between the publishers and the users. However, the relationship can be adversarial at times as both might feel that the other party does not understand their needs. A number of people have had the opportunity to work for both vendors and libraries, revealing a great deal about how these different cultures operate and the impact on this important relationship. We can draw distinct lessons from the different jobs we have had over the years as each job and position provides a unique set of expectations and perspectives that should make a singular imprint on our occupational psyche. From each job, great or small, we can cull a lesson that will help us develop our work ethos. Through our diversity of work experience, we gain a better understanding of the work life and the different expectations and demands that are placed on people within organizations and companies.