Job Stress and the Librarian

A Michigan resident, Carol Smallwood has practiced in school, public and special libraries. Her primary interest is practical librarianship, and she is the author of journal articles and editor of numerous books. Linda Burkey Wade is the Digitization Unit Coordinator at Western Illinois University Libraries and has published several articles.

“recommended”—Technical Services Quarterly; “This volume contains a wealth of practical advice on dealing with the stress that all librarians experience at one time or another.”—Jason Kuhl, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, Arlington Heights, Illinois; “Highly empowering self-care guide for library professionals with practical tips by experienced professionals to cope with the evolving role of libraries and library services.”—Padma Polepeddi, Arapahoe Library District, Denver, Colorado; “Twenty-seven excellent articles for librarians on how to beat stress in (and out of) the library.”—Larry Grieco, contributor, Bringing the Arts into the Library; “Libraries have changed radically in the past 15 years, and so have customer expectations. This book is not only welcome, but necessary to our field.”—Elaine Williams, Lynchburg Branch Library, Ohio.

• Table of ContentsForeword: Julia L. EisensteinIntroduction: Carol Smallwood and Linda Burkey WadePart I : Defusing and Reducing Conflict at WorkDealing with Impossible Co-WorkersKathleen ClausonLet’s Work it Out: Managing Conflict in LibrariesLisa A. ForrestPart II: Stress ManagementGender Specific Stress Management StrategiesLeigh A. WoznickLaughter in the LibrarySu EpsteinShelving Stress Through Self-Care and NutritionAmy Bodine and Kim Rush LynchThe Active Librarian: The Importance of Physical Activity for Mental and Physical Well-BeingJohn Boyd and Elizabeth CramerLeave Me Alone! The Value of SolitudeJonathan FraterPart III: Library Programs for Patrons and StaffPlanning Library Programs for PatronsBeth NiemanThe Benefit and Implementation of an Employee Yoga ProgramKymberly Anne GoodsonLibrarians Helping Each Other: A Staff StressBusters ProgramAislinn Catherine Sotelo and Shirley A. HigginsPart IV: Balancing the Professional and the PersonalDe-Stressing: Conscious Choices at Work and HomeMaryann MoriJournaling Your Professional Life: Appreciate the JourneyCristina Hernandez TrotterAvoiding and Recovering from BurnoutSamantha Schmehl HinesPart V: Juggling ResponsibilitiesThe Real Cost of Doing More with LessPamela O’SullivanMeeting the Demands of TeachingMarcia E. RapchakEmployee Empowerment as a Strategy for SupervisorsJames B. CaseyPart VI: Easing Stress on a BudgetAffordable Library MakeoversSharon M. BrittonFunding Your Media Program in Lean TimesBarbara FiehnDownsizing Stress: Dealing with Budgetary and Staff CutsStacey R. Ewing and Janelle WestDone in a Day: Effective Use of Volunteer LaborJeffrey DiScala and Sheri Anita MasseyPart VII: Overcoming ChallengesBeing an “Only One”: The Sole Minority on StaffCharlcie K. Pettway VannThe Trailing Spouse: A Portable CareerKimberly SwansonSo You’ve Been Laid Off, Now What?Lara FraterPart VIII: Navigating Career TransitionsThe Over-Underemployed Librarian: The Full-Time Stress of Multiple Part-Time JobsZara T. WilkinsonStuck in Security: The Mid-Career Frustrations of the Tenured Academic LibrarianBeth EvansNo Time Like the Present: Proactive Retirement PlanningAline D. WilsonAbout the ContributorsIndex