2018-07-13 SPLAT Curiosity Report: Volume 1, Issue 4

Featured Story

Don’t Feed the Bears: And Other Rules to Break to Keep a Happy Librarian

Library work can be as difficult as it is rewarding, and it sometimes seems that the what makes the job great can be the exact same things that make the job difficult: working with people, never knowing what the next question will be, exploring new programs and ideas. Katie McClain recently wrote an article entitled I’m Not a Superhero: The Stress of Library Work, which provides an excellent overview of the difficulties of library work and how burnout can sneak up on you. It’s important to take time to recharge. To that end, here are a few techniques to help you and your staff remember to take care of yourselves and each other. Some are from a program handout created by local yoga instructor and LMSW Caitlin Lanier, some come from a Simon Sinek poster called “You Are Allowed To,” and some are lessons I’ve learned the hard way.

  1. Don’t forget to eat. Seriously. Make time for food. Your body AND your brain are no good to anyone without fuel.
  2. Ditto sleep. Sleep is one of the ways your brain processes difficult interactions (the very real meaning to “sleep on it”) along with giving your body time to rest and recover.
  3. Ditto ditto hydration. In fact, go drink a glass of your favorite hydrating liquid right now.
  4. Take breaks. Go outside and get some sunlight, which we all know is good for your brain and emotions. Go for a walk (also good for your brain and emotions). Laugh with a coworker. Watch a video or two of adorable baby animals doing adorable baby animal things. Breaks really do let your brain refocus with better energy on the task(s) at hand.
  5. Ask for help whenever you need it (or when you want it).
  6. Take time off to do something that inspires, excites, and energizes you. Likewise, use your time off to actually be away from work. You’ll come back more rested and ready to jump back into it.
  7. Help others whenever you can. This can obviously be taken too far, but giving a coworker a hand with a project can be a great way to support your colleagues and to get fresh perspective on your own project.
  8. Belly breathing to build boundaries. This is from the self-care handout and can be a really useful activity after a difficult interaction.

Take care of yourselves. Take care of each other. You matter.

– Kate Radford

Fail Forward

We’ve all been there. You pour your heart into a program, and no one shows up. You try something new, and you fall on your face. Sound familiar? Fail Forward is the place to share your failures, and give you the opportunity to share what you learned from them. Did you promote your program in a different way after no one showed up? Maybe you took a new approach to the new thing you were excited about? Awesome! Share your story via our online form so others can learn, and realize that failure is often part of the process.

Reflecting on Failure

Earlier this year, I read Samantha Hines’ article, “From safe spaces to brave spaces: Rethinking how we talk about diversity in the library profession and learning from failure” in PNLA Quarterly. The article relays her experience facilitating a discussion about diversity in the library profession, and how to “dismantle structural barriers that exist and persist.” Hines goes on to detail a couple of experiences trying to facilitate discussions on this topic. One that really stood out to me, and seems particularly relevant to this column was, “When something fails, it helps me to examine what happened on two levels: what was within my control and what was outside my control.” This is a great technique to deploy when faced with failure, because the failure isn’t the end, it’s just the beginning!

– Deana Brown

Crush Corner

Is there a library you follow on social media who is always doing new and exciting things? How about a blog you follow that inspires you in the work you do? Library Crush Corner is a place for those working in Idaho libraries to share what inspires them, and who they’re crushing on… in a professional sense. Share your story via our online form so we can publish it in a future issue!

EveryLibrary

I recently went to a training put on by EveryLibrary. They are a nonprofit focusing on political advocacy for public libraries, and specifically in helping libraries succeed in passing fundraising bonds and measures at the local level. They are a great organization, provide work pro bono, and they have a great social media presence. Check them out if you want some professional development on library advocacy!

– Tyler McLane

SPLAT explores new ways to build capacity and support library folk as they serve their communities. Library folk throughout the state of Idaho volunteer to serve on the Special Projects Library Action Team (SPLAT). Learn more about SPLAT at splat.lili.org

SPLAT is brought to you by the Idaho Commission for Libraries and is funded in part with a federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (LS-00-17-0013-17). The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.