THE LIBRARY PROFESSION PROVIDES HIGH-STANDARD SERVICES TO SUPPORT INFORMATION NEEDS
The library employee’s well-being is the foundation of a thriving and resilient library environment. In the “age of participatory,” cultural institutions such as museums and libraries face challenges in curating collections and finding innovative methods to engage the public to stimulate curiosity for hyperconnected social participation (Stephens, 2016). The library adapts to technological change along with the information needs. Facing the ongoing change adds stress on the employees. For example, the participatory culture dramatically changed the library’s services due to the Internet and social media. Library employees are constantly adapting to new resources and the new information needs. Mathews suggests that the library should reevaluate the organizational structures to keep up with the rapidly evolving information environment (2017). Mathews suggests libraries should reevaluate the organizational structures to keep up with the rapidly evolving information environment (2017). He connects ecosystems and libraries to emphasize the complex and adaptive nature. He points out that the library should create a nurturing environment for people, projects, and relationships to thrive (Mathews, 2017). However, library employees are stressed when keeping up with the changes in the information environment.
According to Johnson’s article Keeping Up With… Burnout warned that burnout can lead to physical and psychological issues. Therefore, organizational and individual strategies are needed to prevent burnout by increasing self-awareness and seeking support.
- Be aware and self-check.
- Seeking well-being support.
WELL-BEING SELF-CHECK HEALTH TOPICS:
- ERGONOMICS:
Computer workstation ergonomics: self-assessment checklist - HEALTHY EATING:
- PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
- FINANCIAL WELL-BEING:
- USING YOUR EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
- ENROLL IN THE PRE-TAX COMMUTER BENEFITS PROGRAM
- CHECK YOUR PRE-TAX RETIREMENT PLANS
- STUDENT LOAN RESOURCES AND SCHOLARSHIPS
- MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING
- STRESS MANAGEMENT : Lower Blood Pressure Breathing
- SLEEP FOR BETTER HEALTH
- ALA Wellness Tools and Resources
Reference:
Stephens, M. (2016). The Heart of Librarianship. In The Heart of Librarianship. American Library Association.
Mathews, B. (2017, September 14). CULTIVATING COMPLEXITY: How I Stopped Driving The Innovation Train And Started Planting Seeds In The Community Garden. Vt.edu. https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/items/d2f056bd-1ff3-46c4-897e-2254735ccbc6
Johnson, M. W. (2024). Keeping Up With… Burnout. Ala.org. Retrieved from https://www.ala.org/acrl/publications/keeping_up_with/burnout
American Library Association. (2023). American Library Association. American Library Association. https://www.ala.org/
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. (2023). AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. HTTPS://WWW.ALA.ORG/
KEEPING UP WITH… BURNOUT. (2024). ALA.ORG. HTTPS://WWW.ALA.ORG/ACRL/PUBLICATIONS/KEEPING_UP_WITH/BURNOUT
Tools and Resources. (2025). Ala-Apa.org. https://ala-apa.org/WELLNESS/TOOLS-AND-RESOURCES/
MAYO CLINIC. (2013). 9 TIPS FOR A HEALTHY ERGONOMIC WORKSTATION – MAYO CLINIC [YOUTUBE VIDEO]. IN YOUTUBE. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=K88Q_OEWRS8
COMMUNITY HEALTH RESOURCE CENTER CPMC. (2020, NOVEMBER 13). CHRC – DIABETES AWARENESS: PREVENTION, PRE-DIABETES, & DIET. YOUTUBE. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=0QMWTFJFCAO
CASUCCI, T., LOCKE, A. B., HENSON, A., & QEADAN, F. (2020). A WORKPLACE WELL-BEING GAME INTERVENTION FOR HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARIANS TO ADDRESS BURNOUT. JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, 108(4), 605+. HTTP://DX.DOI.ORG.LIBACCESS.SJLIBRARY.ORG/10.5195/JMLA.2020.742
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR LIBRARIES. (2023, NOVEMBER 7). WEBJUNCTION. HTTPS://WWW.WEBJUNCTION.ORG/NEWS/WEBJUNCTION/MENTAL-HEALTH-RESOURCES-LIBRARIES.HTML
2 Comments
Nicole · February 17, 2025 at 4:17 am
Hi Yiwen,
Love how you mention the fact that libraries are like a nurturing environment because it really does play a part in helping us grow. Any information in the library can help people grow, and in some ways, nurture the users depending on how they use the library. And it is very important to take care of librarian staff members and make sure they aren’t feeling overwhelmed or burned out. Finding methods for managing stress, reminding staff members to sleep and eat healthy, are all helpful ways to act on self care.
Ramasha · February 21, 2025 at 1:07 pm
Hi Yiwen,
This is a great post, and very relevant for information professionals who may be feeling stress and burnout in their positions. I especially liked how you pointed out that this is something that needs to be remedied and maintained on both an organizational and individual level. Individuals know themselves the best, and thus it is important to remind ourselves and learn strategies to self-check — like you mentioned! However, if the organization isn’t doing anything to support its staff, then self-regulation can only go so far in the long run. It would be beneficial for libraries, on the structural level, to try and touch base with its employees more and make sure that they’re not only feeling okay, but that they are also making use of their benefits that they may not have been aware about.