March 2023 MBR The Library Science Shelf

The Library Science Shelf

The Social Future of Academic Libraries
Tim Schlak, et al.
Facet Publishing
www.facetpublishing.co.uk
9781783304714, $85.99, 360pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-social-future-of-academic-libraries-tim-schlak/1139467390

Synopsis: The current focus in higher education institutions on student engagement, partnership formation, community development and social relations requires a significant mind-shift in academic libraries and librarians if they are to regain their place at the heart of the academic enterprise.

Academic libraries need to move beyond incremental and peripheral development of services, spaces and structures to a more fundamental and radical rethinking of their core mission and service philosophy to realign their resources, processes and practices to contemporary demands. Academic librarians have seen the need for change in response to the social turn in the academy and society, and have been exploring concepts such as converged and shared services, partnership and relationship management, blended and engaged librarians, embedded and participatory librarianship, and inside-out and pop-up libraries.

But such work has generally been limited to small parts of the organization, and has not usually resulted in the large scale change in strategy and culture needed for libraries to operate effectively as dynamic social organizations in the connected digital world. New ways of working are not enough; they must be informed by new ways of thinking that empower librarians to look at all areas of their practice in a unified holistic way through a social lens. Concepts and theories of intellectual and social capital can give practitioners new perspectives on their work and provide a framework for the hard reset needed for academic libraries to remain relevant in the 21st century.

"The Social Future of Academic Libraries: New Perspectives on Communities, Networks, and Engagement" by co-edited by Tim Schlak, Sheila Corrall, and Paul J. Bracke introduces readers to these ideas and uses case studies from real-world experience to show how intellectual and social capital perspectives and social network theory can strengthen strategic development, collaborative relationships and professional leadership across all areas of library activity.

Of special note are the examples of application areas that include academic liaison, collection development, data services, information literacy, library fundraising, service design, space utilization, and student success.

Critique: An ideal textbook that especially recommended addition to Library Science curriculum studies lists and in-service training programs, "The Social Future of Academic Libraries: New Perspectives on Communities, Networks, and Engagement" is comprehensive and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation. It should be noted for the personal, professional, community, and academic library collections that "The Social Future of Academic Libraries: New Perspectives on Communities, Networks, and Engagement" is also available in a hardcover edition (9781783304721, $148.40, 200pp, Amazon) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $62.19).

Editorial Note #1: Tim Schlak (https://alastore.ala.org/content/tim-schlak) is Dean of the University Library at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, PA. As Library Dean, he advocates on the Library's behalf and positions it as an integral partner in the learning and scholarly processes of the University. Prior to joining Robert Morris, he was Library Director at Northwestern College in Orange City, IA, where he spearheaded the DeWitt Learning Commons project. He has authored a number of publications about the changing social context of libraries with particular emphasis on social capital and engagement.

Editorial Note #2: Sheila Corrall (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheila_Corrall) is Professor of Library and Information Science in the Department of Information Culture and Data Stewardship at the University of Pittsburgh, PA, where she is lead faculty for academic information services. Her research interests include evolving roles in academic libraries, reflective practice in information work, and the application of business management concepts and models to information services.

Editorial Note #3: Paul Bracke (www.gonzaga.edu/academics/faculty-listing/detail/bracke) is Dean of Library Services at Gonzaga University. In this role, he provides leadership and oversight for Library Services, the Office of Sponsored Research and Programs, and the Academic Technology Applications Support unit. He has published and presented on the social relations of librarians and emerging roles for librarians, particularly in relation to research.

Academic Librarian Burnout: Causes and Responses
Christina Holm, et al.
ACRL Books (Association of College & Research Libraries)
c/o American Library Association
225 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60601-7616
https://www.ala.org
9780838948569, $98.00, PB, 398pp

https://www.alastore.ala.org/content/academic-librarian-burnout-causes-and-responses

Synopsis: Since the 1800s being a librarian has traditionally been conceptualized as a vocation or calling rather than a profession. Within this historical context, librarians are encouraged to think of ourselves as possessing a natural disposition to showing perpetual engagement, enthusiasm, and self-regulation in pursuit of our shared vocation. These assumptions about the profession can sometimes shield us from introspective criticism, but they can also prevent us from recognizing and managing the systemic occupational issues that afflict us.

Co-edited by the team of Christina Holm, Ana Guimaraes, and Nashieli Marcano, "Academic Librarian Burnout:: Causes and Responses" can help librarians develop the agency to challenge the assumptions and practices that have led to so much professional burnout.

In five thorough parts (Reframing Burnout; Conditions that Promote Burnout; Lived Experiences, Individual Responses to Burnout; Organizational Responses to Burnout) this seminal study offers ways to discuss burnout in our work environments, studies burnout's nature and causes, and provides preventative intervention and mitigation strategies:

The individual chapters comprising "Burnout: Causes and Responses" explore the relationship of burnout in academic libraries and illness, intersectionality, workload, managerial approaches, and more, while offering real-life stories and ways for both individuals and organizations to address the symptoms and causes of burnout. The emotional, physical, and mental investment we require of librarianship (to go above and beyond to serve the ever-evolving needs of our patrons while perennially justifying our existence to library stakeholders) can come at the expense of our well-being.

"Burnout: Causes and Responses" specifically addresses unsustainable work environments and the preservation and celebration of the unique contributions of librarians.

Critique: Exceptionally well organized and presented, "Burnout: Causes and Responses" is an ideal Library Science curriculum textbook for classroom or in-service training programs. Especially recommended reading for aspiring and seasoned librarians (especially library supervisor staff members and library board members), "Burnout: Causes and Responses" is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library collections.

Editorial Note #1: Christina Holm (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-holm-3849a759) is the Teaching & Learning Team Lead, Instruction Coordinator, and a Librarian Associate Professor at Kennesaw State University. With over 9 years of professional experience working in academic libraries and public services, she is passionate about information access, library service design, and advocating for critical reflections into professional practices.

Editorial Note #2: Ana Guimaraes (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ana-Guimaraes-29) is the former Director of Collection Development at Kennesaw State University and currently an Engagement Librarian with SAGE Publishing, Inc. A librarian with over 15 years of public services and collection development experience in academic libraries, including public archives and university special collections, she is passionate about library collections, project management and process improvement, and advocating for staff development and the needs of library employees.

Editorial Note #3: Nashieli Marcano (https://www.furman.edu/people/nashieli-marcano) is Archivist for Digital Collections at Furman University. Her 14 years of experience in academia has encompassed library research support, instruction, collection development, and project management. Her current work and interests involves digital curation; diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts; exploring issues in academic librarianship; and digital scholarship. She holds a doctorate degree in Latin American Languages, Literatures, and Cultures from the University of Pittsburgh.

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