A. Rivera3d ago

> 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

Supporting Library Workers Who Have Lost Their Jobs - ACRLog

If you haven't had the experience of losing your job suddenly, of being laid off or fired, it might be difficult to imagine what it's like. The person who has lost their job is probably going through some form of grief. They're losing financial security, their professional identity, their expectations of a stable future. Much

ACRLog - Blogging by and for academic and research librarians
A. RiveraMar 3

I admit, this was not on my bingo card, but then again, when you got “recent multi-round layoffs, increased workloads, benefits reductions, financial crises, ingrained salary disparities, and lack of transparent decision-making” yea, I'd say that be more than enough reason to unionize.

> American Library Association employees forming union with AFSCME
https://afscme31.org/news/american-library-association-employees-forming-union-afscme

#UnionStrong
#NotMyALA

American Library Association employees forming union with AFSCME

Joining the wave of union organizing among cultural workers, employees of the primarily Chicago-based American Library Association (ALA) announced they are forming their union with AFSCME Council 31.The announcement came in an open letter to coworkers released today and signed by 40 ALA employees.When certified, the union—American Library Association Workers United/AFSCME—will represent more than 100 ALA workers.

AFSCME Council 31
A. RiveraFeb 6

> On Owing $93,605 in Student Loans; or, A Profession Built on Debt
https://acrlog.org/2025/07/24/on-owing-93605-in-student-loans-or-a-profession-built-on-debt/

As someone in this damn boat, I have a thought or two on this. In the end, this is a reason I am probably going to die in a ditch somewhere.

#BadEconomy #HigherEd #academia #libraries #NotMyALA #corruption #exploitation

On Owing $93,605 in Student Loans; or, A Profession Built on Debt - ACRLog

I don't know the right metaphor to make you understand how this much debt physically feels. What it actually feels like is a pressure on my chest and shoulders, but maybe that's not evocative enough. What if I describe it as an anchor trailing behind me? Or being covered in molasses, trapping my energy and

ACRLog - Blogging by and for academic and research librarians
A. RiveraOct 21

> American Library Association Implements Workforce Changes to Strengthen the Organization for the Future
https://www.ala.org/news/2025/10/american-library-association-implements-workforce-changes-strengthen-organization

Translation: We are laying off people, adios. We're just coating it in corporate speak to make it sound better (but we're not fooling anyone).

#BadEconomy #NotMyALA #libraries #librarians #jobs #work

American Library Association Implements Workforce Changes to Strengthen the Organization for the Future

ALA has announced workforce changes as part of its ongoing ALA Forward initiative—a comprehensive effort to align the organization’s structure and programs with its strategic priorities, sustainability, and mission impact.

A. RiveraSep 26, 2025

Meanwhile, in the #BadEconomy. Oh, I may have a thought or two on this, but I consider myself blessed by the #CosmicJoker I've not needed to sell my plasma to make ends meet (yet), like some librarian colleagues I've known.

> On Owing $93,605 in Student Loans; or, A Profession Built on Debt
https://acrlog.org/2025/07/24/on-owing-93605-in-student-loans-or-a-profession-built-on-debt/

#academia #HigherEd #corruption #libraries #NotMyALA #DivineHumor #exploitation

On Owing $93,605 in Student Loans; or, A Profession Built on Debt - ACRLog

I don't know the right metaphor to make you understand how this much debt physically feels. What it actually feels like is a pressure on my chest and shoulders, but maybe that's not evocative enough. What if I describe it as an anchor trailing behind me? Or being covered in molasses, trapping my energy and

ACRLog - Blogging by and for academic and research librarians
A. RiveraFeb 24, 2025

Just got an email for one of ALA's virtual junket webinars, this time on how to avoid online negativity.

Folks, I do not need to pay you a fee for this for I already know #MyBlockIsQuick

#NotMyALA #libraries

A. RiveraJun 4, 2024

"It's that most wonderful time of the year. . . " 🎶 when vendors, publishers, etc. start spamming librarian emails due to the ALA yearly librarian migration.

Since I am not going, because reasons and overall #NotMyALA, hitting delete a bit lately.

A. RiveraMar 12, 2023

Down and Out at the AHA https://www.chronicle.com/article/down-and-out-at-the-aha

Did they (historians) ever talk about the employment crisis (i.e. no jobs, etc.?). And focus on historians, but this is pretty much every #humanities and #LiberalArts field pretty much. #BadEconomy #academia #HigherEd

Another organization notorious for not talking about jobs crisis? The fine folks of #NotMyALA.

Down and Out at the AHA

History is facing a jobs crisis. Why doesn’t the field talk about it more?

The Chronicle of Higher Education
A. RiveraFeb 21, 2023

As I leave ALA Council by @OscarRLanza https://link.medium.com/1FWs7imqBxb

A very transparent, honest look at serving in ALA Council, and for me, another reminder why it is #NotMyALA.

#libraries #librarians #politics

A. RiveraFeb 9, 2023

Just got an email from #NotMyALA about some junket on bringing new librarians onboard. They are touting the "over the next decade, there will be 15,200 library job openings annually (2022)" line from BLS.

It's the same bs line they've been peddling about a librarian shortage that is impending, but interestingly enough never happened. Sure as fuck did not happen a decade ago when I became a pro librarian. What we do have a seriously tight labor market.

#BadEconomy #librarians #libraries