> Supporting Library Workers Who Have Lost Their Jobs
https://acrlog.org/2026/03/21/supporting-library-workers-who-have-lost-their-jobs/ via #ACRL

And if they're older, they're probably fucked given the notorious ageism in #libraries.

Yea, I said it because I've been there, and people know this to be true (even if no one wants to speak about it).

#BadEconomy #jobs #work #labor #NotMyALA

CFP: Ungrading in Credit-Bearing Library Instruction: Alternative Assessment Practices #ACRL Publication

Call for Chapter ProposalsUngrading in Credit-Bearing Library Instruction: Alternative Assessment Practices invites readers to rethink traditional grading and adopt strategies that prioritize reflection, feedback, and student agency. This book will be published through the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of the American Library…

https://drwebdomain.blog/2025/11/17/cfp-ungrading-in-credit-bearing-library-instruction-alternative-assessment-practices-acrl-publication/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

CFP: Inclusive Practices: Advancing Access and Belonging in Academic Libraries (Book Chapters) #ACRL

Call for ProposalsInclusive Practices: Advancing Access and Belonging in Academic LibrariesWe are pleased to invite chapter proposals for the forthcoming ACRL publication Inclusive Practices: Advancing Access and Belonging in Academic Libraries. This book will center on how academic libraries can navigate today’s challenging political landscape while still advancing…

https://drwebdomain.blog/2025/10/22/cfp-inclusive-practices-advancing-access-and-belonging-in-academic-libraries-book-chapters-acrl/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Call for Chapters: Supporting Skilled Trades Training in the Academic Library #ACRL #BookChapters #CFP

 Call for ProposalsACRL book Supporting Skilled Trades Training in the Academic Library“Please share widely!” I am excited to invite chapter proposals for the forthcoming ACRL book Supporting Skilled Trades Training in the Academic Library. This edited volume aims to help readers develop collections development, instruction, and research strategies that support…

https://drwebdomain.blog/2025/10/04/call-for-chapters-supporting-skilled-trades-training-in-the-academic-library-acrl-bookchapters-cfp/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

"Trust and Integrity: A Research Imperative." A joint statement from the Association of Research Libraries (#ARL), International Association of Scientific, Technical & Medical Publishers (#STM), Association of College and Research Libraries (#ACRL), Society for Scholarly Publishing (#SSP), and Association of University Presses (#AUPresses).
https://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2025/07/09/trust-and-integrity-a-research-imperative/

(Yes, it's rare to see #libraries and #publishers issue joint statements.)

"This year has brought unprecedented challenges to the U.S. research enterprise – sweeping federal funding cuts, capricious reductions in the federal workforce, and destabilizing attacks on universities, laboratories, and federal research agencies…In response to these challenges, we believe in and support: Public investment in basic science and the humanities…The need for broad access to validated, trusted information…Protecting and advancing freedom of speech…and ensuring research and scholarship remain free from political interference."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Takedowns #Trump #TrumpVResearch #USPol #USPolitics

Trauma-Informed Leadership Approaches to Legacy Toxicity: The Road to Wellness #ACRL2025 Panel

I had the honor of being on a panel with Kaetrena David Kendrick and Alma Ortega organized by L Slingluff and Elizabeth Dill on Trauma-Informed Leadership Approaches to Legacy Toxicity: The Road to Wellness. 

We had so many great questions from Elizabeth and L and the audience I need to make time to listen to the recording. Thank you so much to L and Elizabeth for organizing this!

I planned to post a list of recommended reading and references as a follow up and someone asked me to share my list that was an answer to this question

What would you say are characteristics of a healthy or well workplace?

Psychological Safety

• Staff feel safe to express ideas, concerns, and mistakes without fear of retaliation.
• Constructive feedback is encouraged and acted upon.
• Leadership models vulnerability, transparency, and inclusivity

Respect for Boundaries and Work-Life Balance

• Clear expectations around working hours and communication norms.
• Flexibility is embraced for example, remote work options, adjusted schedules.
• Leadership models healthy boundaries

Trust and Empathetic Leadership

• Managers demonstrate compassion, competence, and active listening.
• Leaders build trust by being transparent and inclusive in decision-making.

Inclusive and Equitable Practices

• Cultural humility, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility principles, and trauma-informed approaches are integrated.
• Discrimination, including anti-fat bias, and ableism are actively addressed.
• All voices are valued, regardless of role or identity.

Support for Emotional and Invisible Labor

• Emotional and unseen tasks (e.g., team morale, mentorship, organizing social events) are acknowledged and supported.
• Staff are not penalized for the emotional toll of service or caregiving responsibilities.

Recognition and Appreciation

• Regular, sincere recognition for staff contributions.

Ergonomic and Healthy Physical Spaces

• Safe, accessible, and comfortable workspaces –  proper lighting, clean air, reduced noise
• Access to natural light and nature.
• Ergonomic furniture and flexible workstations.

Reasonable and Clear Work Expectations

• Realistic performance standards and staff workloads are manageable.
• Expectations are clear, consistent, and fairly communicated.

Opportunities for Growth and Development

• Professional development is prioritized as part of workplace wellness.
• Staff are encouraged and supported in their growth through training and mentorship.

Organizational Commitment to Well-Being

• Well-being is embedded in policies and culture, not just individual effort.
• Leadership takes an active role in reducing burnout and creating psychological safety

Wellness is considered in strategic planning, it is a requirement, not an extra.

References and Recommendations

Bologna, C. (2023, October 19). Nice vs. Kind: The Difference Is Significant. HuffPost Life. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/nice-kind-difference_l_650b53ffe4b0d75184692b0e

Borsellino, R. (2022, November 3). It’s Official: Toxic Workplaces Are Hazardous to Your Health. The Muse. https://www.themuse.com/advice/surgeon-general-toxic-workplace-dangerous

Clark, T. R. (2021, June 25). The Hazards of a “Nice” Company Culture. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2021/06/the-hazards-of-a-nice-company-culture

Edmondson, A. C., & Bransby, D. P. (2023). Psychological Safety Comes of Age: Observed Themes in an Established Literature. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 10(Volume 10, 2023), 55–78. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-120920-055217

Herrick Juarez, A. (2019, July 15). 36. Libraries and Toxic Leadership: Having the Conversation with Alma Ortega. Library Leadership Podcast. https://libraryleadershippodcast.com/36-libraries-and-toxic-leadership-having-the-conversation-with-alma-ortega/

Hopwood, J. (2023). Understanding the Importance of Creativity Towards Psychological Safety in the Library Workplace. School of Information Student Research Journal, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.31979/2575-2499.120202

Kendrick, K. D. (2021). Leaving the Low-Morale Experience: A Qualitative Study. ALKI: The Washington Library Association Journal, 37(2).

Kendrick, K. D. (2023). The Cornered Office: A Qualitative Study of Low-Morale Experiences in Formal Library Leaders. Journal of Library Administration, 63(3), 307–338.

Kendrick, K. D., & Damasco, I. T. (2019). Low morale in ethnic and racial minority academic librarians: An experiential study. Library Trends, 68(2), 174-212.

Kendrick, K.D. (2020). The public librarian low-morale experience: A qualitative study. Partnership, 15(2), 1-32.

Kurter, H. L. (2021, July 23). Managers, Here Are 6 Toxic Behaviors That Are Destroying Your Employee’s Confidence. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/heidilynnekurter/2021/07/23/managers-here-are-6-toxic-behaviors-that-are-destroying-your-employees-confidence/

Michalak, R., Dawes, T. A., Cawthorne, J. E., & Association of College and Research Libraries. (2024). Toxic dynamics: Disrupting, dismantling, and transforming academic library culture. Association of College and Research Libraries.

Newman, B. L. (2022). Fostering wellness in the workplace: A handbook for libraries. ALA Editions.

Newman, B. L. (2024, April 5). Psychological Safety in Libraries and the Veneer of Niceness. Librarian by Day. https://librarianbyday.net/2024/04/05/psychological-safety-in-libraries-and-the-veneer-of-niceness/

Newman, B. L. (2024, March 22). Setting Boundaries at Work for Personal and Team Wellbeing. Librarian by Day. https://librarianbyday.net/2024/03/22/setting-boundaries-at-work-for-personal-and-team-wellbeing/

Newman, B. L. (Ed.). (2025). Well-Being in the Library Workplace: A Handbook for Managers. ALA Editions.

Ortega, A. (2017). Academic libraries and toxic leadership. Chandos Publishing.

Pizarro, M. C. (2022, August 9). Identifying Toxic Leaders And How To Handle Them. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/2022/08/09/identifying-toxic-leaders-and-how-to-handle-them/

Powers, A. C., & Fife, D. (2025). Psychological Safety in Libraries: It’s a Team Sport. College & Research Libraries News, 86(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.5860/crln.86.3.104

Price, D. (2021). Laziness does not exist. Atria Books.

Shuster, L. (2023, September 20). 7 Signs Of A Toxic Workplace And 7 Proven Remedies. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2023/09/20/7-signs-of-a-toxic-workplace-and-7-proven-remedies/

Slingluff, L., & Dill, E. (2025). Trauma-Informed Leadership: Managing Legacy Toxicity. In J. Crum & D. H. Ketchum (Eds.), Trauma-Informed Leadership in Libraries (Vol. 44, pp. 5–20). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0732-067120250000044002

Solis-Moreira, J. (2023, December 13). The difference between being nice and kind | CNN. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/13/health/nice-vs-kind-difference-wellness/index.html

I’m available for training, consulting, or coaching.

#acrl #acrl2025 #Leadership #mentalHealth #research #traumaInformedLeadership