I’m very pleased to share that I’ve partnered with Library Juice Academy to offer my new course, “Deconstructing the Low-Morale Experience in Academic Libraries.” The four-week intensive, asynchronous course focuses on the study’s outcomes and leverages personal expression channels, community participation, and more to help people dealing with low morale begin reflection, engage in restorative dialogue, and solidify actions that aid low morale recovery.
During data collection for the original low morale study, participants shared with me how healing the research interview process was for them. In very large part, their feedback about the reflective nature of our discussions spurred me to develop the course.
“Growth, whether personal or professional, is a process and I’ve grown a lot … in both areas. What I haven’t had time to do is reflect back on the process and what I learned and how I got to where I am now, which is a much better place than I was in [during my low-morale experience]. Sharing my experiences for you for your study has helped me to do that reflection.” – A study participant
“Speaking with you was extremely helpful. I’ve had a few other revelations about the situation, how it affected me, and how much happier I am now. Even though I’ve talked with [others] about it, it was more helpful to speak with someone from the profession. So, thank you!” – A study participant
The original low morale study’s goal was to suss out, outline, and clarify the experience of low morale; thus, it was not prescriptive. Through
- study participant feedback
- iterative presentations of my research
- messages and discussions with colleagues about their experiences
- the Renewers Community (Facebook) and
- my continuing research, narrative data collection, and workplace climate data collection,
this course is an earnest, authentic effort to help people get to the other side of low morale and regain happiness and confidence in their professional (and probably – maybe – hopefully – personal) lives.
This course offers a unique opportunity to promote and participate in professional development and self-care in the LIS field. I hope you will join me and encourage others to do the same. Let’s work together to improve our profession and promote whole-hearted and whole-self wellness and humane, intentional leadership (regardless of job title) in all American libraries.
Learn more about registration/enrollment.
P.S.: While the “academic libraries” portion of the course title is a nod to the focused library environment in the original study, this course is open to employees working in any library environment and who believe they are currently facing (or have dealt with) low morale (i.e., protracted exposure to workplace abuse or neglect).
