Well-Being in the Library Workplace: A Handbook for Managers

by Bobbi L. Newman, Kaetrena Davis Kendrick (foreword)

Genres: Nonfiction, Library Science, Librarianship

280 pages, Paperback

Published April 20, 2025

About the author

I’m Bobbi L. Newman, a librarian and Certified Wellness Practitioner dedicated to helping libraries develop work environments where individuals feel empowered, supported, and free to bring their best selves to work. In today’s demanding professional landscape, where challenges like burnout, compassion fatigue, and stress are too common, I specialize in evidence-based strategies that address these issues head-on. My approach focuses on cultivating a psychologically safe workplace where team members feel secure in sharing ideas, seeking support, and engaging in open collaboration.

With extensive experience as a consultant, speaker, instructor, coach, and well-being advocate, I provide tailored programs. I bring a comprehensive approach to promoting mental and emotional well-being from national initiatives to virtual symposia and collaborative projects. Whether through customized workshops, keynote presentations, strategic consulting plans, or coaching, I work closely with organizations and individuals to establish sustainable well-being practices that foster trust, reduce burnout, and ensure that staff feel genuinely valued and engaged.

My work extends to authoring resources, such as Fostering Wellness in the Workplace: A Guide for Libraries and the forthcoming Well-Being in the Library Workplace: A Handbook for Managers (coming Winter 2024/2025 from ALA Editions). My writing and expertise have been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, and American Libraries Magazine.

Reviews

[Annamarie Carlson (she, her)]

This is very academic-library focused. Chapter 2 is the real winner, with some solid stuff in chapters 5, 11, 12, and 17.

[Victoria]

Some really good takeaways and actions that can be immediately applied. I recommend this for all library managers. Some chapters cannot be applied to all settings because of the difference in academic and public libraries, but I really feel inspired by the survey suggestions as well as immediate changes to make, such as changing my messaging methods. A good deal of what was in here I do already practice or have tried so it's a comfort knowing I am on the right path. I will probably pick up this book again down the road as a nice refresher when I need another boost of inspiration to help my team (and myself).

[Don]

Fair disclosure, I wrote one of the chapters. Whenever I read a book that draws several authors, especially nonfiction, I remind myself that you read for information, ideas, and inspiration. Not to compare authors or topics - or to rank them for that matter. This handbook consists of just that - information, ideas, and inspiration but also the passions of the authors that wrote them and the gathering and editing of Ms. Newman. Some topics I know well, some I have been aware of, and some that I had to give much further thought to. If you work in the well-being realm this is a good text for you…if you have empathy for you colleagues, this is a good read for you.

[Olivia]

DNF because this e-book isn't compatible with my device, but I look forward to reading it when available in paperback.

[Jaq]

Think a chapter on managing underperforming staff would have benefited this collection.

[Darin]

Overall, I thought there were many great ideas - I'll take the ones I think I can apply in my branch. Thanks for putting together a great, helpful book!

[Jennifer Van Oosbree]

An excellent book that should be required reading for all library managers.

[Nicholle]

Leans more toward academic librarianship (because they have the time and expectation to publish?), but there were some concepts and ideas useful to me.