A few weeks into of my eight-week intensive course, Critical Hope and Self-Preservation in Contemporary Librarianship, which is being offered to currently enrolled Dominican University School of Information Studies students (why DU SOIS?), we began exploring concerning practice frameworks in the LIS industry and in library workplaces, and I asked students – many of whom already have library workplace experience – to consider responding to a Low-Morale Experience assessment.
Their participation is optional, and it gives us some insight into what library students have already faced before attaining their terminal LIS degrees. About 10 students took the optional assessment, and students agreed that I can share these aggregated results.
- 80% agreed they have experienced low-morale according to the 2017 Kendrick study definition; 80% were not sure.
- 60% indicate their experience has lasted one to three years; 30% more than 3 years; 10% between 4-6 months.
- 90% indicate they experience(d) emotional abuse; 70% experienced system abuse; 60% experienced verbal/written abuse; 50% experienced negligence; and 10% experienced physical abuse.
- There is a tie: 50% indicated that the perpetrators were library supervisors or managers and library administrators; 30% indicated library users; 20% indicated library colleagues; 10% indicated political or municipal leaders ; another 10% were Boards of Trustee members.
- Uncertainty & Mistrust was the most indicated Impact Factor (90%). Organizational structure was the most indicated Enabling System (90%). Other highly indicated Impact Factors and Enabling Systems were Leadership styles (80%), Policies (70%), Staffing & Employment (60%), Training (50%), and Deauthentication (50%).
- 90% of respondents indicate feelings of Regret. Following are feelings of Depression, Frustration, Sadness, and Anger (80%); Shame and Worry (70%); Disillusion (60%), and Despair (50%).
- 50% indicated that a current physical health condition has worsened as result of their LME, including migraines, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and gastrointestinal disorders. 10% indicated they have been diagnosed with a physical health condition as a result of their LME. Another 30% are not sure.
- 40% indicated that a current mental health condition has worsened as a result of their LME, including depression, PTSD, anxiety, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). 20% indicated they have been diagnosed with a mental health condition as a result of their LME. Another 20% are not sure.
- 90% have noticed/experienced a decrease in professional engagement; 80% have noticed a decrease in work productivity; 60% have noticed a desire to change careers; increased absenteeism, and a decrease in professional development; 50% have noticed a decreased willingness to collaborate and increased procrastination. One respondent noted “anger and resentment towards the work.”
- Other details:
- “Neither Human Resources nor Administration were perceived as objective or safe, as retribution was evident when previous staff had brought up concerns (demotions, termination). This caused staff to seek solace from one another, do the minimum work necessary, use work hours for job searches, and worst of all – reduce the care and quality they once provided to library patrons.”
- “There was/is a sense of solidarity between myself and colleagues who struggled/struggle with the neglect/abuse at my workplace. This helped me feel less alone, since I wasn’t the only one struggling, and yet hit me hard when colleagues were either fired due to not being able to perform their jobs under immense systemic pressure, or quit because they couldn’t take one more day. I felt hopeful when I saw colleagues quit and find healthier workplaces, but also sad to see the toll it took on them and on me.”
- “My experiences were in care and food service, not library jobs.”
In addition to offering a quick overview of low-morale experiences from pre-service library workers, these results results also offer context to the larger north American workplace landscape. Thanks to the students for sharing their experiences in the course and for allowing me share them with the public.
P.S. – If you’d like to compare these results with my “Deconstructing the Low-Morale Experience….” course cohorts, click here.
