The Library Workplace Idea Book: Proactive Steps for Positive Change

Every day you strive to ensure that the library is working for its users—but how is it working for you? And what can we all do to make the library an inclusive and positive workplace? Offering both case studies and personal narratives, this idea book draws on contributions from librarians and library workers at a variety of institutions across the country. Ready to inspire self-advocacy and action for a better library workplace, this collection's real-world examples include

• a model library code of conduct;
• practical steps for gender inclusion, from ILS usernames and job ad language to signage for gender-neutral restrooms;
• how library workers navigated oversight committees and adapted spaces to create lactation accommodations;
• methods for encouraging conversations around diversity;
• using dialog to address conflict in white employees’ conversations about race, including insights from a librarian of color who recounts his library’s diversity training day;
• ways to make ergonomic changes to your workplace to ease chronic pain or discomfort;
• favorite yoga YouTube channels and websites for lunch-break yoga;
• brightening up the library with low-maintenance plants identified by NASA for their air-purifying characteristics;
• guidance on identify bullying in the workplace, with advice on how to handle it; and
• positive changes in the recruitment and interview process that can reduce turnover of student library employees.

The antidote to low morale and high turnover starts with mindfulness and self-care, and this resource presents myriad proactive and positive ideas for making libraries a fulfilling workplace.

<!--StartFragment-->Amanda H. McLellan is the assistant director of discovery and technology services at East Carolina University's Joyner Library, and adjunct lecturer at the University of Illinois School of Information Sciences. She holds her MLIS from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a BA from DePauw University, and is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Education with a focus in Higher Education Administration. Her research interests include library technology, usability and user experience, and library management. A member of the Greenville Noon Rotary Club, Amanda enjoys giving back to the community, baking, and spending time with her husband, dog, and cats.<!--EndFragment-->

<!--StartFragment-->Heather L. Seibert is currently employed by National Heritage Academies in Winterville, NC. Before her current position, she was employed at East Carolina University in the Department of Research and Scholarly Communications. She holds a Masters in Library Science from ECU and is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She is an advocate for worklife balance, women's rights, and lactation compliance in the workplace. Her research interests concern open educational resources, Creative Commons Licensing, and affordable textbook creation in higher education for support of K-12 curriculum and instruction.<!--EndFragment-->

<!--StartFragment-->Amanda Vinogradov works for East Carolina University's Joyner Library in the Special Collections Cataloging department. She holds a Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research interests include digital libraries, public health, and community outreach.<!--EndFragment-->