Early this month I collaborated with the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI)’s Professional Development Alliance and led an online session of The Renewals Colloquium I’m sharing some data collected during the event, as well as attendee feedback shared after the 90-minute event, which had over 200 registrants and an over 50% live attendance rate.
During the Colloquium
I asked attendees to share their perspectives on what low-morale experiences are – responses included:
- “Uncertainty and inability to move forward.”
- “People don’t value my work.”
- “Hiding my true self to avoid bullies.”
- “…[being] Given too much to do because you’re good at your job.”
- “Can’t escape, stuck in the middle as a middle manager, no support from above.”
- “There’s a sense of obligation, but no support or time to recharge…”
- “Sisyphean – working so hard but feeling like you’re not getting anywhere (on the to-do list or with colleagues).”
- “All of the capacity to care has left my body.”
- “I just want to be left alone so I can do my job.”
- “Feeling like the things I’m doing don’t have meaning. Feeling like what I’m doing isn’t enough. Feeling like it could never be enough.”
What themes do you see in these selected responses?
During the event, I also shared some low-morale experience frameworks, and we also explored established countermeasures (I asked folks which they would consider trying or continuing). See below:
CARLI/PDA Renewals Colloquium attendee responses to which countermeasures they would try or continue.
Colloquium Evaluation
Share something you learned during the Colloquium or a concept that was defined more clearly during the Colloquium:
- “Legacy toxicity” is a term I did not have the language for, but after attending this webinar, have realized is something I have grappled with since coming onboard in my current capacity.”
- “How resilience narratives were outlined, and LIS culture was reflected on. LIS culture, in my experience, seems to be overlooked a lot.”
- “Resting and taking care of yourself is important. Burnout is a result of many different things. I never thought about coping mechanisms and low morale building over a career of many years. Have to stop being so nice and rolling over all the time. Sharing and communication are vital.”
- “Self-preservation tactics & ‘run towards joy.'”
- “The importance of rest. How to combat toxicity.”
If there was a concept that you wished were covered during the Colloquium, please share it:
- “What about leaning towards spirituality in terms of coping?”
- “Kaetrena Davis Kendrick expertly covered lots of concepts I have experienced in past work environments but did not have the language to articulate. I am at a loss, then, to come up with a concept not covered.”
- “I was hoping for some strategies or ways to solve these burnout problems. … Do I try to share responsibilities without looking like I’m being selfish or lazy?” (see my collaboration with Library Journal/School Library Journal’s Training program)
Share how the information offered at this Colloquium may impact your daily or long-term library practice:
- “Focusing on mutual aid.”
- “Small steps that will make changes to my perspective and state of mind.”
- “Renewed insight ideas for counternarrative responses.”
- “Honestly, I’m pretty happy with my job, so I hope that I won’t have to use it!”
- “I learned about how to better process my surroundings and how to help others if needed.”
If you have faced low morale, what are your immediate plans to continue your positive recovery (personally or at work)?
- “…Continue to improve communication and ask for help. I tend to want to do everything for fear of failure. I need to delegate more.”
- “Something that really resonated with me was Kaetrena Davis Kendrick recommending we re-frame the concept of Professional Development to encourage seeking opportunities that more holistically reflect the person we are, not just the job title we often define ourselves as (at least, this was an understanding of this that I liked).”
- “Do the tasks that I can do. Continue to volunteer in other ways on campus as a respite from this environment. Live fully on weekends!”
If you’re not currently experiencing low morale, what are your immediate plans to support those who are facing this experience?
- “Give my coworkers plenty of ‘space and grace’ to feel the things they feel when it comes to low morale. To listen, while trying to ensure we don’t fall into the trap of ‘trauma bonding,’ and try to direct to resources, whether in or outside or campus community, that can further support them.”
- “Helping my team members overcome their ingrained resilience. Letting them know we do less with less.”
- “Be willing to listen.”
Shared Attendee Feedback from the CARLI/PDA Evaluation
- “Ms. Kendrick delivered her presentation in a straightforward yet compassionate manner, and did an outstanding job of getting to the heart of a complex topic. Her delivery was consistent, respectful, realistic and authentic. I was highly engaged – which is not always the case with the webinar format – and came away from the session feeling like it was the best hour+ I’d invested in continuing ed in quite some time. I immediately went in and told my director all about it!”
- “I appreciated the thorough familiarity with the topic – research and all! She is engaging and welcomed our participation.”
- “I was made aware of issues I hadn’t considered. My morale was boosted and I was made to feel confident.”
- “I’ve attended presentations by Kaetrena Davis Kendrick before and she is always insightful and always helpful.”
Thanks to CARLI/PDA (Nicole Swanson and Marisa Tolbert) for inviting me to connect with their organization’s members and other colleagues.
Are you looking for a resonant speaker who can offer space for reflection and reimagination? Contact me!
