These days book challenges and attacks on intellectual freedom seem to be a constant part of working in the world of libraries. It can be draining and downright disheartening to see what is happening to our colleagues, collections and creators. Encountering misinformed vitriol is taking its toll on our profession. These threats against intellectual freedom are very real and the tactics being used to enforce censorship are alarming. During the barrage of bad news, it’s easy to miss the glimmers of good. It’s difficult to remember that there really are people who are grateful for our work and thankful for the resources and services libraries provide. While it is important to avoid succumbing to toxic positivity, seeking out the wins can offer much needed energy and clarity. Wins such as the Brooklyn Public Library’s Books Unbanned initiative and a whole community working together to support librarians are excellent examples. School…
Tag: self-care
BREATHE
It’s been a long, long week/month/year/decade, and May is stressful for all; public library staff are gearing up for Summer Reading (a wild time to work in a public library environment), while school staff are just trying to make it to the end of the school year (a wild time to work in a school environment). And of course, we’re still living in a pandemic; things are scary and uncertain in so many ways. With all this happening, it is no surprise that I often have to remind myself to breathe. How often do you actually pay attention to your breathing? The persistently ragged, near-panicky gasping that has become my pandemic breathing style doesn’t exactly lead to inner peace. To really help yourself achieve some level of calm, one needs to be mindful of their breathing, and so, in that spirit, here are some links I hope you find helpful…
Self Care during Closure
To echo Emily’s post yesterday, this is a weird time to work in libraries and to be a person in this world. I had never imagined that the library would close. It seemed too otherwordly to not have an open library that was unrelated to a renovation or damage or a snow day. However, here we are.
Treat Yo Self
November and December can get stressful with holidays, staff vacations, winter weather, annual wrap-ups, and the end of the year ahead. While many of us have a tendency to simply push through, taking time to introspect on ways you can relieve stress and be a happier, more positive coworker and public service provider is an important part of serving your staff and community. Listen to Parks and Rec staff Tom Haverford and Donna Meagle, and treat yo self. We’ve all heard tips related to self-care: don’t check work email at home, take your lunch breaks, get up and move around every hour. These are all important (and you should follow them!) but there are lots of other, more in-depth resources to help you manage stress and be your best self. Take a look at a couple here: Self-Care Starter Kit from the School of Social Work at the University of…