I am not your hero
In this genealogy, many librarians appear in fiction to make clear the expectations of the profession: from the Parks and Recreation librarian, to the Bookmobile BadGirl, we recognize the ways we encounter crisis and scarcity, and how that makes it more difficult for library employees to refuse, let alone have the difficult conversations we need to work through if we want to experience greater trust in community during abundance or crisis.
In reframing crisis and empowering librarians to embrace refusal, and as an antidote to the hero narrative and accompanying vocational awe, we propose an alternative patron saint for librarians: Murderbot.
In the novella All Systems Red, author Martha Wells introduces readers to Murderbot, an artificial intelligence designed to serve as a security detail for profitable ventures. However, through a first-person perspective, it becomes clear that Murderbot prefers to spend its time watching media, avoiding conversation, and performing its tasks to the bare minimum. In essence, the Murderbot only cares about keeping its cohort alive -- and even then, just barely.
Of particular note is that fact the Murderbot was created for a single purpose (keep the contract alive)-- and yet, the character does only as much as is critically and contractually necessary. Instead of volunteering to take on more work and sprinting toward burnout; instead of attempting to climb the professional ladder; instead of competing for tenure and promotion; Murderbot prefers not to do anything it does not want to.
Explicate the Murderbot and leave behind the tragedy of bartleby, the satire of The Office and Parks and Rec? Move toward a respectful way to say "I prefer not to" , hear "No" reject constructed scarcity and recognize abundances. Discuss.
Other examples of workplace refusal, while not centered on librarians, is the infamous 1994 film Clerks. This film follows a "Day in the Life" of two convenience store clerks as they blow off work to play hockey on the roof, close the stores to attend a funeral, and all around have a wild day despite the protagonists' related complaints that he was "not even supposed to be here today." While these two clearly hate their jobs, and look for any excuse to do anything other than work, a final scene from the film reminds the protagonists, and all of us watching, that we have the right to say no to work:
While Dante, the protagonist, might like to imagine he is critical, in reality, he is not. If he left, he would simply be replaced. If he weren't replaced, there are other convenience stores.You want to blame somebody? Blame yourself! (mimicking) 'I'm not even supposed to be here today.' You sound like an asshole! Jesus, nobody twisted your arm to be here. You're here of your own volition. You like to think the weight of the world rests on your shoulder, like this place would fall apart if Dante wasn't here.
