Abstracts
Abstract
This paper utilizes an ALA resolution from 2016 and the resulting arguments on an ALA public forum to analyze the profession of librarianship from a perspective informed by Pierre Bourdieu’s theories. Drawing on scholarship from sociology, organizational studies, and LIS, I argue that the concept of a profession is a form of symbolic capital working within multiple fields of power. Analyzing librarianship with this framework enables us to identify the internal and external battles being waged over control of symbolic capital within fields of power, and ask why we value “the profession” to such a degree. Within the profession, professionals, para-professionals, and managers are constantly attempting to shore up or acquire additional symbolic capital. Externally, professions are struggling to maintain their symbolic capital in relation to each other; some professions, like medicine and law, have been more adept at consecrating cultural, social and economic capital into symbolic capital. Ultimately, this approach makes clear that the concept of “a profession” is neither absolute nor neutral; it is a constructed, deeply historical socio-cultural classification system that has been embedded into our collective understanding of how labour is valued. Ultimately, bolstering support behind the notion of a “profession” might not be the most prudent course of action for librarians going forward; in fact, I’ll suggest that uncritically supporting the “profession” goes against the philosophical tenets that librarians are purported to uphold.
Keywords:
- ALA,
- Bourdieu,
- profession,
- professionalization,
- sociology
Résumé
Cet article utilise une résolution de l'ALA de 2016 et les arguments qui en résultaient lancés pour et contre sur un forum public de l'ALA comme point de départ pour analyser la profession de bibliothécaire dans une perspective éclairée par les théories de Pierre Bourdieu. En nous appuyant sur des textes en sociologie, études organisationnelles et en bibliothéconomie, je soutiens que le concept de profession est une forme de capital symbolique oeuvrant à travers multiples domaines de pouvoir. Analyser la bibliothéconomie à travers ce cadre nous permet d'identifier les luttes internes et externes menées pour le contrôle du capital symbolique dans les champs de pouvoir, et de nous demander pourquoi nous valorisons autant « la profession ». Au sein de la profession, les professionnel.le.s, les para-professionnel.le.s et les gestionnaires tentent constamment de consolider ou d'acquérir du capital symbolique supplémentaire. De l'extérieur, plusieurs professions peinent à maintenir leur capital symbolique les unes par rapport aux autres ; certaines professions, tels la médecine et le droit, ont été plus habiles à consacrer du capital culturel, social et économique en capital symbolique. En fin de compte, cette approche montre clairement que le concept de « profession » n'est ni absolu ni neutre ; il s'agit d'un système de classification socioculturelle construit et profondément historique qui s'est incorporé à notre compréhension collective de la valorisation du travail. Ultimement, renforcer le soutien à la notion de « profession » n'est peut-être pas la ligne la plus prudente pour les bibliothécaires à l'avenir ; en fait, je suggérerai que soutenir sans critique la « profession » va à l'encontre des principes philosophiques que les bibliothécaires sont censé.e.s défendre.
Mots-clés :
- ALA,
- Bourdieu,
- profession,
- professionnalisation,
- sociologie
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Appendices
Bibliography
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