Building on research and insights presented in the webinar, Low Morale in Libraries: Impacts and Countermeasures, this panel discussion delves deeper into essential facets that foster a healthy and supportive library culture, exploring institutional and individual solutions to countering low morale. Examining how organizational culture, library hierarchies, and management styles affect the workplace experiences of library staff, we’ll explore various strategies for library staff working to navigate power dynamics and advocate for positive personal or organizational change. Recognizing the trauma, stress, and burnout experienced by library staff, we’ll consider how to:

• Assertively communicate needs while embracing change, set boundaries to address toxic positivity, and foster a compassionate environment
• Explore visionary leadership approaches for inclusive libraries and promote collaboration for library staff at all levels
• Gain insights on trauma-informed practices and collective care to help recover from burnout and foster empathy and resilience

Join this panel of researchers, library practitioners, and changemakers as they share experiences, research, and practical strategies to help foster a healthier, empowered library environment.

Panelists

• Kaetrena Davis Kendrick, Researcher, Leader, Consultant, and Coach, Renewals
• Sunnie Scarpa, Library Director, Wallingford Public Library (CT)
• Ann Glusker, Social Sciences Librarian, University of California, Berkeley
• Lauren Comito, Branch Manager, Brooklyn Public Library, and Executive Director, Urban Librarians Unite
• Angelica Rodriguez, Assistant Branch Manager, Hartford Public Library, Park Street Library @ the Lyric (CT)

NOTE: 90-minute session

Access Recording

• View Webinar Recording (Coming Soon)

Webinar Attachments

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• View chat (xls) (Coming Soon)
• View captions (txt) (Coming Soon)

Related Resources and Links

• Researching Low Morale in Libraries, a WebJunction interview with Kaetrena Davis Kendrick
• Low Morale in Libraries: Impacts and Countermeasures, WebJunction webinar
• Glusker, A., Emmelhainz, C., Estrada, N., & Dyess, B. (2022). “Viewed as equals”: The impacts of library organizational cultures and management on library staff morale. Journal of Library Administration, 62(2), 153–189. https://doi.org/10.1080/01930826.2022.2026119
• 2022 Urban Library Trauma Study, Urban Libraries Unite