Tattooed librarians may not sound something familiar but in the ocean state of Rhode Island they are. A group of tattooed librarians are trying to change the general perception of what librarians should look like, according to the Associated Press.
"Tattooed Librarians of the Ocean State" is a 2014 calendar that the Rhode Island Library Association (RILA) is rolling out in a bid to do just that. The calendar features 12 librarians - 10 women and two men - and their tattoos.
Colleen LeComte, who works at a library in the area, said: "It seems to be a lot of the young people entering the profession now have tattoos. It really shows how the profession is changing. It's not your stereotypically little old gray lady with a bun anymore." LeComte works in the Newport and Portsmouth public libraries. LeComte photo in the "Tattooed Librarians of the Ocean State" calendar shows her revealing a glimpse of the ruby slipper tattoo she has inked onto one of her ankles, and the image of her actually wearing a pair of ruby red slippers and reading the great "The Wizard of Oz" is certain to turn some heads.
RILA President, Jenifer Bond, says, "When we're out there advocating in the community, people always tell us that they love libraries. Purchasing a calendar is a great way to translate that sense of love into a show of support. RILA is committed to ensuring that libraries remain relevant in the digital age and will be here for our patrons when they need us most. It's a good cause!" She adds, "And if this calendar breaks a few stereotypes or sparks some conversations about libraries in the process, then we've done our job."
