Should men be allowed to work as childrens librarians?

I've applied for 2 positions at the library I work at. The first time it was as a childrens librarian and they told me I was totally unqualified to serve the position and had no experience with children. I could buy that. I then applied a few months later for 2 positions as the lowest rung librarian who serves all the different departments including childrens. I was informed that I did not know what the position entailed and was not suitable for it. Now I have my Masters in Library and Information Science. And it turns out that they hired two girls with no experience and no MLIS.

It appears to me that they do not want men to ever serve in the childrens department. Perhaps they feel parents will be creeped out by it? The question remains 1.Should men be allowed to work as childrens librarians? and 2. Does the above story sound like a breech of ethics?
Additional Details
Adding to information. Yes I'm a white male. I'm married and have a baby girl. I have my masters. I'm more upset because Librarian jobs don't open up very often and I want a full time position that uses my degree so I can support my family. Right now I have a position that doesn't even require being a college graduate.

magicpixie

Um, I've always had male librarians at all the school libraries I've worked at...

Our local library has both male and female librarians in all sections.

It will be very hard for you to prove why you were not hired however... and they may consider you overqualified for the lower rung positions... at least that may be their spin on it.

Good luck to you though, you may have a fight on your hands.

Carol O

Sounds to me as if your salary requirements may be too high. They hired young girls with no qualifications to fill the positions. Those girls were probably happy to take minimum wage jobs. You need to apply to libraries which can afford to pay for qualified help. Of course, you then probably couldn't afford to live in the city you're working in. My longest-time friend is a librarian, but she specialized as a law librarian. Again, there aren't many jobs available, but at least she has a specific skill within the field. If being a librarian is so important to you, I'd suggest you specialize in an understaffed area.

Mama Jugalette

Absolutely to both questions! You were a victim of gender-bias and bigotry! You might consider filing a complaint about this one!!!

cain7575

I would answer yes that men should be allowed to work in the childrens section.

To answer your second question...get a lawyer and sue for discrimination.

Pipe Organ Wolf

I feel that your experience is a breech in the code of ethics. At the library in my hometown, we had both male and female librarians in the childrens' section. There were no difficulties with men in the section.

chamberlainjk

Why should a male be a children's librarian. You should file a grievance, call your congressman, and the newspaper. Maybe one of these source can find out why they did not hire the best person for the job.

Good Luck

fourtwentybreaker

Hell yes! They are allowed to make the children....what is this world coming too? I can understand playing it safe...but this crap is ridiculous! being molested is something I know about, I am a victim, but my kids...1 girl, 2 boys...they aren't kept in the dark for any reason and ESPECIALLY for my own fear of past repeating itself!

pinkstealth

Yes. They can not discriminate when hiring and that is what this is.

And I have to say, what a sad world we live in. My 5th grade teacher was a man, first I ever had. He was my favorite teacher. Loved him. It's like saying men can't love children AND have something to offer them, cause they are all pedophiles.

brenda4ever

Yes I think that men should be able to work as Librarians, as long as both man and woman have police checks... I see no problem with it.

Now that you're qualified they can take that into account. It should have nothing to do with your gender.

sweettastynjuicy

yea why not as long as they doin there job

iub23

yes, yes

xx_muggles_xx

that sounds like discrimination.

Sunny

I think that they are just coming up with execuses for you. I keep my kids at a day care and 50% of the workers are male.... I do not have a problem with that. Have you tried other libraries or is it just one place that you had applied at?
I don't have a problem with me working as childrens librarians.

enigma

I would expect men/women to work in whatever profession they choose. Men do contribute to children being born. Don't they? I would certainly take up the issue. Breech of ethics or what!! I take it you are not living in England? Give the British their dues they do try to be fair.

Jeffweiser

The answer to both of your questions is a resounding YES.

hotmomma

I have 2 kids and go to library often with them - I wouldn't be creeped out by it - maybe they had problems in the past with men but that should be no excuse. I'm sorry I don't have a better answer for you.

Anon28

Yes, men should be able to be librarians, and if you had had your masters when you were turned down I would say it smelled, but if you were not qualified, you can't complain. Maybe the girls who got hired at least had worked with kids.

Bottom line: Don't expect to get a job you aren't qualified for.

happinessinhurt

Obviously this is a breech of ethics. This is probably not uncommon though. I hate to whine but middle-class, white males sure do get the shaft pretty often nowadays. You are undoubtedly overly qualified for the jobs. I am pretty sure four plus years of college studying specifically library sciences qualifies you for almost any librarian position. This is an act on unequal employment and should probably be reported.

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