Before I accepted the position of full-time Children’s Librarian at Lake Region Public Library (LRPL), the position at our library was only part-time. I couldn’t wait to dive in and expand on the legacy that our previous Children’s Librarian built here. I wanted our collection to better represent the youth of the Lake Region, to expand programming, and create a space that was accessible, equitable, and available to all families. I knew it could be done and I was excited to get started.
I am approaching the end of my second year as Children’s Librarian, and I am so proud of the work that my coworkers and I have put in over the past few years. The library is warm, colorful and inviting, and our circulation and program numbers reflect that work. But most importantly (in my opinion), the feedback from our community has been positive, and encouraging. I am fulfilled and proud, but, boy, am I tired.
How do you balance the desire to do all the things for your community when there is such a need, with the necessity of sustainability? How do you provide resources to so many people with vastly different needs without making yourself miserable?
Small and rural libraries often operate with limited resources and a small staff. That staff has to become experts on “whatever needs doing.” There usually isn’t a designated person for marketing, tech-support, or programming. Combining that fact with the shift in libraries across the country becoming community hubs, and the push for more third places, in my opinion creates the perfect environment for burnout to run rampant amongst small-town library workers.
If you are like me, and weren’t familiar with the term ”third place”, the University of Chicago English Language Institute published a blog post that was a great jumping-off point for me to do more research about the importance of shared, public spaces. Essentially, the “first place” is home, and the “second place” is work or school. The “third place” can be any public place that individuals visit voluntarily and that encourages a sense of community.
While libraries are not the only shared space in most towns, rural and smaller communities face the challenge of having fewer shared spaces than larger cities. While many libraries share the same struggles, for smaller libraries, it has been a harder transition from the quiet, academic settings we have come to expect. Libraries want to be everything to everyone, but one person’s ideal library experience can be the complete opposite of someone else’s. How do you have a shared space where everyone feels welcome and respected?
This has been a huge struggle in our library over the past year. Like many libraries, we have intentionally moved away from the traditional “shh” mentality and worked to create a space that feels comfortable, welcoming, and accessible to everyone. However, as our library has become more comfortable and inviting, we have also seen a significant increase in behaviors that make it difficult for staff to accomplish their work. These behaviors can also be disruptive and disrespectful to other patrons.
I want patrons to be able to read in a peaceful environment, but I also want kids to be able to play computer games with their buddies. I want preteens and teens to hang out here after school instead of getting into trouble, but not at the expense of a college student losing a quiet place to study. I love when younger kids utilize everything there is to offer in the Children’s Area, but I am not free childcare for unattended kiddos.
Fellow librarians, please know the irony is not lost on me that in trying to create a safe and welcoming space for everyone, I may have helped create an atmosphere that has become less welcoming for others. It is difficult for me not to feel personally responsible for many of the challenges our library is facing. After all, I have been pushing for this environment.
So, again, how do you find a balance?
I guess I will let you know when I figure it out.
“Wow, what helpful advice!” you think to yourself, staring at your overflowing inbox and stacks of books waiting to be cataloged. I may not have the fix-all answer, but I will share a few things I am still learning:
- A welcoming space does not mean a space without boundaries or rules.
- Recognizing that adjusting our expectations does not mean we have failed.
- Finally, ask for help and support
We are reaching out to the people of the Lake Region by hosting a Community Dialogue about the ongoing issues we are seeing in hopes of finding tangible solutions that everyone can support. Our library needs and deserves the community’s support.
My senior superlative was Most Likely to Trip on Her Gown at Graduation so clearly, balance has never been my strong suit. I may not be graceful, but I am trying to give myself–and the patrons whose behavior has contributed to these challenges–a little grace. I have faith that we will stretch through these growing pains and successfully expand to meet the needs of all our patrons with the help and backing of our community. That, my fellow tired librarians, is at least a place to start.
(All photos courtesy of Samantha Bischof)
Today’s guest contributor is Samantha Bischof. Samantha is the Children’s Librarian at Lake Region Public Library in Devils Lake, ND. When she’s not working, she’s chauffeuring her two kids around, tending to her small jungle of houseplants, picking up pretty rocks, or reading—duh.
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.
If you are interested in submitting a guest post, please read and fill out our Guest Blogging Interest Form. We would love to hear from you!
The post Balancing Act: Third Space VS Burnout in Libraries appeared first on ALSC Blog.
Discover more from DrWeb's Domain
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
