Report Update: Share Your Story (September 2022)

I continue collecting low-morale experience narratives from people who work in various types of library workplaces. Below are updated data (n=127). You may also review an earlier report of this dataset.

  • 37% of respondents are experienced librarians/archivists; 26% are mid-career librarians/archivists; 31% are new librarians/archivists.
  • 64% are currently dealing with low-morale.
  • 35% of these incidents are happening at four-year public colleges/universities; 18% are happening at urban/metropolitan-based public libraries; 15% are happening at four-year private colleges/universities.
    • 87% of respondents experienced emotional abuse; 74% experienced negligence; 56% experienced verbal/written abuse; 31% experienced system abuse.
  • 73% of abuse was perpetrated by library administrators; 68% was perpetrated by library supervisors/managers; 55% was perpetrated by colleagues.
  • During their experiences:
    • 76% noted reduced productivity
    • 64% avoided co-workers (even those whom they used to be close to)
    • 62% increased their procrastination on projects
    • 54% created rigid work schedules or protocols (e.g., “I only do what’s required”)
    • 48% rejected or reduced outreach and collaboration opportunities
    • 47% were absent from work more often
    • 42% rejected committee or service work
    • 38% were late to work more often
  • Respondents reported the following emotional reactions/impacts of their low-morale experiences:
    • 94% Anger (this includes the spectrum of anger – from minor irritation to rage)
    • 83% Sadness
    • 80% Disappointment
    • 75% Despair
    • 65% Confusion
    • 55% Shame
    • 55% Shock
    • 51% Embarrassment
  • As a result of their experiences, respondents most often developed
    • 62% Anxiety
    • 46% Sleep disorders
    • 35% Clinical depression
    • 32% Gastrointestinal disorders
    • 26% Post-traumatic stress disorder
    • 26% noted that the experience exacerbated symptoms of previously diagnosed conditions
  • The most popular coping strategies are:
    • 79% Talking with others 
    • 51% Formal counseling
    • 50% Mental activities (e.g., mindfulness, meditation)
    • 46% Physical activity
    • 45% Self-talk
    • 39% Creative activities (e.g., painting, building)
    • 38% Recording activities (e.g., documenting abuse)
    • 36% Reflective activities (e.g., writing, journaling)
  • The most popular mitigation methods are:
    • 69% Looking for a new job
    • 31% Talking with Human Resources
    • 24% Leaving the LIS field

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