CE NEWS

September 8, 2021

Reflections in Gratitude

"Burnout is a cunning thief that robs the world of its best and brightest by feeding on their energy, enthusiasm, and passion, transforming these positive qualities into exhaustion, frustration, disillusionment." (Carter, 2011)

The quote above by Sherrie Bourg Carter was included in the Public Librarians’ Chat: Developing an Attitude of Gratitude in the Library offered in 2017. The topic of job burnout had been coming up in conversations with library directors around the state, and the chat was offered to meet that identified need. Four years later, we are in the midst of a pandemic, and the topic of burnout is more relevant than ever.

The 2017 webinar began with an overview of the signs of job burnout, its negative health consequences, and steps you can take to prevent it. The webinar then shifted into a discussion on the topic of gratitude.

Health research has shown that grateful thoughts flood our bodies with endorphins - hormones that make us feel good. Something all of us are in need of right now. Gratitude is expressed explicitly through words and actions; it is social and other-oriented. Gratitude requires admiration and a readiness to show appreciation for the giving or returning of a kindness (Fehr, 2017). Social science research has shown that gratitude improves life satisfaction, reduces aggression, and motivates pro-social behaviors - those voluntary actions intended to help others. 

The following actions can help cultivate a culture of gratitude, appreciation, and thankfulness:

• Share specific positive feedback
  • Acknowledge what someone did well
  • Send appreciative emails or text messages
• Always use "please" and "thank you"
• Congratulate others 
• Actively listen
• Write down a few things you are grateful for each day

Acknowledging the Work of Alaska Librarians

The past nineteen months have been challenging for all of us. The pandemic has disrupted our work. The fluctuating state of library operations, the shift to curbside services and passive programming, physical distancing requirements: these have all impacted how we interact with one another and the public. The perpetual state of readiness we have been required to stay in these past nineteen months has left us exhausted and demoralized. 

We know it hasn’t been easy. Our staff at Library Development wants to acknowledge the amazing work you have undertaken to keep your library operational, your staff safe, and your community informed during this pandemic.

From Patience Frederiksen

I have been amazed at the resiliency that Alaska librarians have exhibited during the pandemic. You all pivoted to working from home, which was hard enough. But then you went the extra distance of trying to figure out how to make library services work in a time of remoteness. You did not ask “Why is this happening to us?” but rather “How can I make this work for our patrons? How can the library help them cope with this massive disruption in their lives?” You put the mission of serving your patrons first over taking care of yourselves. That is why libraries are still here and why they will still be here for years to come. We put our patrons first and they know it. 

From Daniel Cornwall

Alaska librarians, you are so adaptable! As soon it was clear that indoor, in-person programming wasn’t safe last spring, you grabbed for every tool you had – radio, Zoom, social media – any place there could be a story hour or lecture you were there! You provided one-time use craft kits for pickup. You proved that the library was more than the building and you did it without prompting – because your community needed you. All Alaska owes you a debt for being there for your communities. 

From Jodi Jacques

This last year and a half made it clearer to me the hierarchies that exist in libraries: it’s the lowest-paid, front-line staff that are the most at risk contracting Covid-19 while on the job, the first to get randomly approached by vitriolic and confrontational community members – some elected, some friends, and some strangers that they are just trying to help. Because helping is their job.

Of course, those higher up in the library hierarchy also feel the stress from the pandemic and society and must deal with and answer to pressures more pointedly from their local government officials and active community members.

The lack of governmental leadership on a national level affects every layer beneath it, until each government employee and public citizen is fearful, exhausted, and stressed.

Yet the librarians and library staff I’ve worked with over the last year and a half have persisted.* They asked me about joining the Alaska Digital Library, how they can expand their digital collections, what training is available, what grant funding is available? They created virtual story times and no-contact pick up services; library lockers were installed and activity kits made available; there have been award-winning projects and virtual library conferences – all this often done with the cooperation and collaboration of their library colleagues from across Alaska.

These actions in these times are incredible. Gratitude doesn’t fully describe my feelings, but I am truly grateful for everyone who has persisted and worked in Alaska libraries during the pandemic. I know it hasn’t been easy. 

From Claire Imamura

For the past year and a half, I’ve been sporadically filling in for the grants position. The lack of continuity in the position made things messy and confusing, and I would have understood if you had been irritated. What I found was the opposite – every time I contacted a library, you were gracious, patient, and seemed genuinely pleased to hear from me, even when I was nagging you about paperwork. You shared what was happening in your communities, the victories your staff were achieving, and how you were holding up. The empathy and compassion that you all showed me as we struggled to keep grants stuff hobbling along convinced me to apply for the position full-time. Thank you. I look forward to working with you. 

From DeAnne Rand

Elementary school libraries are the heart of the school. Not only do the librarians teach library classes, have "open checkout" throughout the day, host a variety of meetings in the library space, teach reading and enrichment groups, monitor student study groups in the library, maintain the technology of the school and library . . . during the early days of COVID, librarians were also creating story walks and other creative activities, providing curbside checkout, and teaching grade level lessons to help classroom teachers. I know several teachers who added classroom teacher to their list of duties. Thank you to the librarians who handled the added duties and stress with style and grace. 

From Julie Niederhauser

Courageous, steadfast, and committed to providing the best level of public service possible. When I think about the past year and a half, these are the characteristics that I have witnessed Alaska librarians demonstrate in spades. It has been extraordinary to watch the library community pull together and support one another through this ongoing crisis. To witness the love and concern that you have for each other and for the members of your community. Thank you. 

Sources

Carter, S. B. (2011)  Overcoming Burnout: 10 steps to reignite your flame and shine brightly once more. Psychology Today.

Fehr, R., Fulmer, A., Awtrey, E., & Miller, J.A. (2017). The Grateful Workplace: A Multilevel Model of Gratitude in Organizations. Academy Of Management Review, 42(2), 361-381.