Toxic Dynamics

Academic libraries are full of inspiring collections, resources, and services, but libraries are special because of the people who run them. And what people believe about and face in their culture impacts ideas, plans, and outcomes. Academic library workers face many contemporary challenges that contribute to toxic work cultures- the rapid change of higher education, diminishing resources, lack of diversity, power hierarchies- and addressing these problems requires innovative solutions, ongoing professional development, and effective leadership.

Toxic Dynamics: Disrupting, Dismantling, and Transforming Academic Library Culture provides practical solutions for confronting these complex issues and innovative ways to promote a healthy and sustainable work culture. It addresses critical and timely challenges such as faculty versus staff or us versus them mentality, unionization, gendered labor, organizational change, self-care, tenure, and promotion. Authors from all sizes and types of academic libraries provide evidence-based solutions to mitigate the negative effects of toxicity, change management strategies, and ways to confront and challenge values that harm library workers and their well-being.

By understanding the root causes of toxic cultures, recognizing their impact, and implementing solutions, leaders can create a more supportive and positive work environment and improve morale, retention, and productivity. Toxic Dynamics is an important resource for anyone interested in improving workplace culture and addressing issues related to toxicity and inequity, and for library leaders at all levels.

Russell Michalak, MLIS, is the library director at Goldey-Beacom College and has 2 -plus years of experience working in special (law amp health sciences) libraries, as well as in small, mid-and-large sized academic libraries. He has been working in library administration for 5 years. Michalak regularly publishes a column in the Journal of Library Administration called PosIT, which delves into all aspects of library-related information technologies and knowledge management used to connect users to information technology. Michalak publishes and presents regularly on artificial intelligence, library leadership and management, project management, library budgets and negotiating contracts with vendors, library assessment, textbook affordability, privacy, information literacy, archives and digital collections, collection management, and implementation of library technology amp EdTech tools. Michalak earned his master’ s in library and information studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a bachelor's from Occidental College.

Trevor A. Dawes, a librarian, educator, and consultant, has worked in the academic library sector for over 2 years, developing and providing service-enhancing training and professional development opportunities that positively impact library-wide projects and programs. Dawes also facilitates workshops on leadership development and diversity, improving librarians' and library workers' knowledge, skills, competencies, and abilities. A published author and presenter, Dawes has written or edited books, book chapters, and articles and presented on various topics at local, national, and international conferences. Dawes earned his Master of Library Science from Rutgers University and has two additional master's degrees in educational leadership and educational administration from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Jon E. Cawthorne, PhD, has served as library dean at Wayne State University Library System, which includes the University’ s School of Information Sciences and West Virginia University. He has a PhD in managerial leadership in the information professions from Simmons University and is passionate about inspiring the next generation of leaders, supporting healthy organizational cultures, building leadership capacity within non-profit boards, and increasing diverse representation and voices across the information and publishing industries. Cawthorne is a past president of the Association of College and Research Libraries and currently serves as the vice-chair for the Wiki Education Board and chair of the Lived Places Publishing Advisory Board.