I am the Youth and Teen Collections Librarian for the eight locations that comprise my library system, and I am responsible for purchasing all materials for ages 0-17. In the past few years, I have noticed an increase in materials addressing mindfulness, meditation, and calming activities for all age groups. Researchers and health professionals are sounding the alarm regarding the increased prevalence of depression and anxiety for children ages 3-17. While the pandemic had a huge impact on mental and emotional health, the current state of the world has continued to contribute to the concerning rise of stress in young children. The following booklist offers a variety of books for young readers to help navigate emotional challenges. I am hoping you will find some helpful titles to offer patrons, caregivers, and readers insight and guidance. Several books offer instructions for mindful breathing and calming movements. Many of the practices covered…
Tag: Mental Health
Kids and ecoanxiety
Just about any librarian who works with children knows that kids have real concerns about the future – both for themselves and for the planet. We often hear even very young children express fears about climate change. A few ways we try to help our community deal with ecoanxiety are by offering hands-on programming, modeling and talking about conservation efforts, and providing information, reassurance, and hope through especially engaging books. Programming We try to teach kids that they’re not powerless, and that they can effect transformation. We’ve found that programs that provide opportunities for participants to engage in hands-on solutions (planting trees, creating pollinator gardens, caring for pets, respecting wildlife, repurposing found art materials) foster agency and stewardship. Positive feedback tells us it’s appreciated when we offer these activities throughout the year, and not just for Earth Day. Modeling interventions As far as modeling interventions, we do offer recycling and…
Daniel Tiger for Kids—and for Grown-Ups Too
As a children’s librarian and a parent, I often find myself reflecting on the tools we use to teach emotional regulation, resilience, and empathy. One unexpected but powerful tool for both my daughter and me has been Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. This gentle animated series, inspired by the legacy of Mister Rogers, has offered not just lessons for children but wisdom that has positively impacted my own mental health as an adult.
Unmasking Your Potential: Defeating Imposter Syndrome in Underserved Communities
Imposter syndrome, that nagging feeling of inadequacy and self-doubt despite evident accomplishments, can be particularly challenging when working with underserved children and their caregivers. In such roles, the weight of responsibility to make a meaningful impact can often intensify feelings of unworthiness or incompetence. However, recognizing and addressing imposter syndrome is essential for us to serve the communities we work in effectively. Now, I am no expert however, I have been a victim of imposter syndrome myself and I have had to unpack my issues and leave them at the door. I would like to break down what I have learned regarding understanding imposter syndrome in this context and offer strategies to overcome it. Hopefully, this will empower librarians and library workers to make a real difference in the lives of those they serve.
Art Therapy for Tweens
Starting off the new year can be both exciting and exhausting for children and adults. One way to alleviate the transition of getting back into the routine of returning to school after winter break, is a program we call “Art Therapy!” This program is for children ages 10 and up along with their older sibling and/or adult caregiver. Every month Children’s Librarian, Jennifer Chang leads the Art Therapy program at Cupertino Library. She is always thoughtful when selecting the art project for the month so that it appeals to both tweens and their adult caregiver. Attendees have been able to paint a bird bath dish, bookmarks, coasters, and canvas watercoloring.
Personalized Self-Care for Success: A Guide to Prioritizing You
Have you ever told someone it’s not selfish to practice self-care? On the other hand, how often have you prioritized your own self-care? Be honest. Even if it’s not as often as you’d like, that’s okay. As we move into winter breaks, holiday travel, and wrapping up another year, personalized self-care is hard. I’m struggling with it, too. Let’s talk about how we can make it better.
Prioritizing Mental Health at #alaac23 and Your Library
Without doubt, there are many factors impacting the mental health of librarians and our patrons. Sophie Leveque and Diana Beltrao de Macedo of Boston Public Library are prioritizing access to free mental health resources through the library. How are they doing it? By combining digital and physical resources for patrons to explore mental health support on their own.
Radicalizing Self-Care in Librarianship
“…I thought about the fact that although books don’t have feelings, the librarians forced to remove them from the shelves do.” Xochitl Gonzalez, “The Librarians Are Not Okay.” The Atlantic, March 15, 2023 Book challenges, protests against gender and racial inclusivity, salary stagnation, skyrocketing inflation, opiate overdoses, bad branch managers, years of being ‘essential workers’ -– we all know there isn’t a bath long or bubbly enough to repair the damage that long-term chronic stress does to the body and mind. Public librarians are housekeepers, zookeepers, referees, therapists, mandated reporters, front line emergency workers, cleaners of unidentified effluvia and other duties as assigned. This is why bubbles-and-polish commodified self-care simply does not suffice. Most of us have, at this point, heard about the Urban Librarians Unite’s 2022 Urban Trauma Study, so I will not go into great detail about it here. In short, public-facing librarians experience significant trauma on a daily…