Creating Healthy Library Workplaces

With fresh perspectives, rigorously researched insights and blending examples from both academic and public libraries, this book explores the challenges and opportunities facing libraries today. Whether confronting toxic work environments, workplace safety, stress and burnout, or striving to build a more equitable and energized team, the authors present a dynamic framework for creating supportive, inclusive, and resilient library cultures. Each chapter is thoroughly researched and annotated, providing a wealth of resources to explore further and strengthen understanding. This book bridges the gap between theory and practice, focusing on five factors to help build a healthier, engaging and more fulfilling library workplace wanted by all. -- Phyllis Gorshe * Library Director/Dunedin Public Library * This collection provides practical and compelling examples to help make your library a healthy workplace. Straightforward and diverse, Martin’s work is a welcome addition to the growing literature on a topic that organizations must address to be successful and keep their employees engaged. -- Christopher Cox * Dean of Libraries, Clemson University * Editor Jason Martin, well-known to library workplace researchers, offers what is sure to become a core resource in this impressive book. Based on his own research on library worker engagement and job satisfaction, he suggests five important themes related to library work: culture and work environment; leadership; workload and work expectations; recognition; and meaning. These provide a strong scaffolding for chapters on a range of aspects of the library, and in fact all, workplaces. The chapters are research-based, rich, and varied. From literature reviews to case studies to survey data and analysis, there are new and helpful insights in each one, and even recommended reading lists that go beyond the references. The practical, solution-oriented focus of this collection means that readers will gain useful ideas and solutions for the issues they are dealing with, and since the authors come from many different library types, those solutions are applicable to a wide range of readers: leaders, librarians, and library staff alike. At a time when the flow of literature around healthy library workplaces is increasing, this is the perfect resource for taking the discourse to the next level, realistic and yet presenting a positive vision. I’d recommend this book to anyone interested in a reset of their relationship to their work in libraries, and to libraries themselves. Now, I’m excited to dive into the new-to-me list of articles I developed from reading this book! -- Ann Glusker * Social Sciences and Research Methods Librarian, University of California, Berkeley Library * This unique, and timely work offers insights, learnings and practical guidance for librarians, managers and leaders. If you want to lead effectively, and be an example for our profession, I highly recommend this work to leaders at all stages of their development! -- Jon Cawthorne * former Library Dean, West Virginia and Wayne State Universities *