The Restorative Library | Editorial; Library Journal, August 1, 2022

Meredith Schwartz , Library Journal ; The Restorative Library | Editorial

"Providing rest and rejuvenation in hard times

We all need a break...

So my wish for you, your colleagues, and your patrons today is that you make rest and respite an explicit priority in planning for your library, as well as addressing safety for patrons and staff. Can you host a nap pod in your academic library, as the University of Michigan and Wesleyan University did? Can you offer your employees an app that helps with stress and sleep, as Ozy Aloziem did at Denver Public Library? Can you bring therapy bunnies to visit, as the American Library Association did at its most recent conference? Nothing brings the blood pressure down like petting a chill tribble with a pink nose. And despite my example of self–guilt tripping above, offering yoga and meditation programs may help some patrons and staff too...

It’s important to recognize, and to acknowledge, that short-term spirit lifters are not a substitute for needed structural change. No one who doesn’t make a living wage is going to respond well to attempts to placate them with a pizza party instead of a raise. But that’s not to say that little pleasures have no role to play. Structural change is a long hard slog. Fun and rest along the way can contribute to maintaining energy and momentum, rather than distracting from it. And they can help build a supportive community in which each individual knows they can take a rest when they need it, while trusting that the whole will keep moving forward together."

Despite scathing resignation, Greenville library leaders silent on Pride display removal; The Post and Courier, August 19, 2022

By Stephanie Mirah smirah@postandcourier.com, The Post and Courier; Despite scathing resignation, Greenville library leaders silent on Pride display removal

"Greenville County public library leaders have remained silent about who directed staff to remove Pride Month displays in June, despite a trustee’s scathing resignation that called for the board chair and the library system executive director to step down."

How Understanding the Power of Empathy Makes You a Better Leader; Entrepreneur, August 9, 2022

Erik Bergman , Entrepreneur ; How Understanding the Power of Empathy Makes You a Better Leader

"The true goal of empathy is to focus on people's emotional experiences and build strong connections through this process. When someone shares their feelings or an experience that has impacted them, your goal as an empathetic person is to connect with that person's emotional experience and feel along with them. This can help you develop an understanding of why they act and react the way they do to various situations. But that shouldn't be your main focus when you have these vital interactions...

You can improve your empathy by implementing these practices into your everyday conversations with employees:

• Be curious: In order to connect with someone, you must be curious about their background, personal experiences, unique perspective and feelings. So, you have to ask questions. Spend less time focusing on what's going on in your life, and make room for others to tell you about their experiences or how they feel regarding a work conflict, a project or any personal issues they're facing outside of work. While you don't want to pry or invade their personal boundaries, you should check in with them regularly to open that door...

• Validate others' feelings: When your employee is telling you about a personal or professional experience that's affected them, you can let them know that you recognize and value how they feel. Verbally express this by saying "I would feel the same way" or a similar phrase. You can also use your body language to nod your acknowledgment or tilt your head to show that you're engaged in what they're saying. As you consciously practice these signals, they'll become more instinctive...

All of these steps show that you care about your employees and team members. Caring is a key element of empathy, because we can really only empathize with others when we also care about their well-being and success. But the goal of empathy is not to care performatively (caring for the sake of seeming like you care); the goal of empathy as a leader is to actually care for your team members, so you can connect with them and build strong relationships that help you reach goals together."

Call Number Podcast: Support for Ukraine; American Libraries, August 12, 2022

 American Libraries; Call Number Podcast: Support for Ukraine

Episode 74 highlights efforts to preserve information, raise funds, and help refugees

"Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has dominated headlines this year. The ongoing war has affected people globally, including American librarians and their work. In Episode 74, the Call Number podcast team looks at the ways the profession is supporting Ukraine.

First, Call Number host Diana Panuncial speaks with Kristin Parker, lead curator and manager of the arts at Boston Public Library. Parker is part of a network of first responders working against the clock to preserve Ukraine’s cultural history and provide preservation advice to library workers on the ground.

Next, American Libraries Editor and Publisher Sanhita SinhaRoy speaks with Michael Dowling, director of ALA’s International and Chapter Relations Office, about the Association’s Ukraine Library Relief Fund and how donations are being used.

Finally, Panuncial talks to Millicent Mabi, director of community engagement and programming at Regina Public Library in Saskatchewan, about how her institution is helping Ukrainian refugees—from teaching them English to improving their literacy to connecting them with community resources."

The term 'quiet quitting' is everywhere now. We want to hear your thoughts; NPR, August 25, 2022

Amina Kilpatrick, NPR; The term 'quiet quitting' is everywhere now. We want to hear your thoughts

"What does quiet quitting mean to you?

Since this TikTok about the phrase was posted in July, the term has gone viral, with #quietquitting gaining millions of views on the platform."

In ‘remarkable’ moment, Little Leaguer hugs opponent after scary pitch; The Washington Post, August 9, 2022

 Des Bieler, The Washington Post; In ‘remarkable’ moment, Little Leaguer hugs opponent after scary pitch

"“I’m a coach myself,” Austin Jarvis said, “and he hears me tell my players all the time that it’s not just about baseball.”

“Being a good person is more important than being a great player,” he added, “and seeing him exemplify that on the field today, and on television — which I didn’t even know it was on TV in that moment — seeing him do that just makes me really proud.”

“What Isaiah did,” Kouplen said, “is what our whole world should be doing right now: loving others, above and beyond our differences. It was truly inspiring.”"