Fostering Wellness in the Workplace: A Handbook for Libraries

by Bobbi L. Newman

Whether you're an administrator or library leader concerned about the health and well-being of your team, or a library worker excited to launch a health and wellness movement in your library, you’ll find sensible guidance and inspiration in Newman’s handbook. As part of their dedication to improving the lives of their patrons, libraries have long offered services, programs, and outreach dedicated to the health and wellness of their communities. There is a growing recognition that library workers themselves are in urgent need of such attention; low morale, and complaints of burnout and a toxic work environment, are only a few of the obvious symptoms. The good news is that by turning inward, libraries can foster wellness in their workplace and make a real difference in the day-to-day lives of their staff. Newman, who has led a popular course on the subject attended by workers from many types of different libraries, here takes a holistic approach to examine why and how libraries should focus on improving the health and wellness of employees. Filled with hands-on advice, examples of successful initiatives, and suggested action steps, in this book readers will learn


how to define health and wellness, including its physical, psychological, and social aspects, and why they touch upon nearly everything that happens in the workplace;
what a workplace looks like when it strives to ensure the complete physical, mental, and social well-being of workers, and the ways in which this approach to a work environment benefits both the library and the community it serves;
the role played by the physical aspects of the workplace, such as the ergonomics of sitting and standing desks, the effects of air quality and smell on worker health and productivity, and noise levels stemming from open plan workspaces;
about key policies relating to wages, working schedules, where employees work, and child and elder care;
real-world advice on addressing complicated workplace issues like emotional and invisible labor, with a look at the part that burdensome or indifferent policies and practices can play in contributing to compassion fatigue and burnout;
ways to make healthy choices for oneself and encourage healthy choices in co-workers and staff;
concrete, evidence-based steps that libraries can take to improve workplace wellness;
how to make a lasting difference by focusing on one aspect they can change personally and one that they can advocate changing library wide.

Genres: Nonfiction, Librarianship, Professional Development, Management, Adult

104 pages, Paperback

Published August 23, 2022

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

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

almost too brief, but hopefully it will encourage people to dip their toe in if they're new/intimidated by the topic. covers a lot of essential ideas - especially Twanna Hodge's chapter - and serves as a good starting place. there were a few repeated and in-your-face typos that were frustrating.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of this is pretty intuitive, but good to have the business case info for creating a healthier workplace for mental health.

[Melissa Conn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, quick read (a good chunk of the book is references to data) with some good information that really made me think to a few obvious library workplace practices. Still, a good, important read

[Stacy Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the advocacy, practical suggestions, and aspirational suggestions (would love to provide individual work spaces and it’s something to plan for as we assess our space). Sections on compassion fatigue, racial battle fatigue, emotional labor, and invisible labor were very helpful to me. As an administrator I found a lot of useful, actionable information. I do wish it had gone into more detail at times, but the length made it a great introduction to the topic and is easily digestible.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clear ideas explained concisely and supported with references. Appreciated the recap on pages 70-71.

[Kiley · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75stars Nothing groundbreaking, but it was ok.

“Experts recommend that you star by standing for five minutes each hour and progress to up to thirty minutes per hour” (p. 21).

“Exposure to nature, including plant life, improves employees’ mental and physical well-being and improves productivity” (Balch 2016, as cited in p. 26).

[Errrrrrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a tight 77 pages with a lot of good ideas (and avoids a lot of bad ones like weight loss or fitness programs). My only criticism is there wasn't anything on organizing, which is necessary when admin knows how to make things better but doesn't want to. And for $50 I'd get copy from the library.

[Janet Schalk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really more of an extended pamphlet, but very useful (and necessary) information. Perhaps a bit short on the practical fixes to these issues, but heavy on the advocacy.

[Megan B · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely brief overview of workplace wellness from a library perspective.

[Christa Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic practical advice.