Review of "Job Stress and the Librarian"
By Carol Smallwood and Linda Burkey Wade (Editors)McFarland, 2013
Review by Chris Kretz on Dec 10th 2013
While this book may come as a surprise to those who still picture the library as an oasis of unchanging calm overseen by an imperturbable librarian, anyone who is active in the field will find the topics covered in this collection of essays all too familiar. With shrinking budgets and staff, the press of ever -- changing technologies, and a need to prove value to an often indifferent administration, librarians know from stress.
Job Stress and the Librarian: Coping Strategies from the Professionals presents twenty-six essays written by academic, school, and public librarians. The essays are grouped into eight chapters by theme, albeit loosely. Sections range from the highly targeted (Library Programs for Patrons and Staff) to the wide-ranging (Overcoming Challenges) with two to five essays in each. The arrangement proves to be less important than the content itself. Peruse the complete list of essay titles and you're bound to find a scenario that fits your current situation.
The collection presents viewpoints from various levels of the library hierarchy. Public library administrators pass on strategies for alleviating stress in the workplace by empowering employees, using humor, and communicating effectively. Zara T. Wilkinson paints a truthful picture of the life of the "over-underemployed librarian" trying to juggle multiple part-time jobs. And Lara Frater presents clear-headed strategies for those facing the worst in "So You've Been Laid Off, Now What?"
Some of the more unique essays touch on issues that do not often get addressed in the library literature. Kimberly Swanson details her experiences uprooting her own career in favor of her husband's in "The Trailing Spouse: A Portable Career." She gives pertinent advice for anyone facing that same choice, including the forthright "you do not have to go." Charlice K. Pettway Vann writes about librarians of color in "Being an 'Only One': The Sole Minority on Staff." And in "Stuck in Security: The Mid-Career Frustrations of the Tenured Academic Librarian", Beth Evans illustrates how that change of status brings with it different expectations, stresses, and opportunities.
Tips for reducing stress on the personal level abound. As more than one writer asserts, it is up to the individual to manage their own stress levels and there are many ways to do it. While a certain repetition crops up throughout the book (eat right, make time for yourself, disconnect from the digital world, keep a journal; even hot baths get recommended twice), each essay presents a unique context for the problem. With numerous specific examples and case studies drawn from their own experiences, the authors present strategies that can be applied in any setting. Many of the essays also include references to related resources and research.
The collection is edited by Carol Smallwood, whose previous library-related work includes Librarians as Community Partners: An Outreach Handbook, and Linda Burkey Wade, the Digitization Unit Coordinator at Western Illinois University Libraries.
© 2013 Chris Kretz
Chris Kretz, Assistant Professor/Reference Librarian, Dowling College Library, NY
Resources
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Articles
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The Nature of Stress
- Introduction and the Nature of Stress
- The Biology of Stress
- The Fours Stages of A Stress Reaction
- Other Important Biological Systems That Help Regulate Stress Reactions
- Factors Influencing the Stress Response
- Types of Stressors (Eustress vs. Distress)
- Factors Determining Whether Stressors are Experienced as Negative or Positive
- Self-Efficacy and the Perception of Control in Stress Reduction
- The Long-Term Consequences of Negative Stress
- Mental and Emotional Impact of Stress
- Social Impact of Stress
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Methods of Stress Reduction
- Methods of Stress Reduction
- Meditation for Stress Reduction
- Kinetic (Movement) Strategies for Stress Relief
- Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi for Stress Reduction
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation for Stress Reduction
- Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Massage, Reiki and Acupuncture Stress Reduction Techniques
- Medication Strategies for Stress Relief
- Psychological Strategies for Reducing Stress
- Cognitive Therapy Techniques for Stress Reduction
- Cognitive Distortions Affecting Stress
- Dysfunctional Beliefs Affecting Stress
- Cognitive Restructuring
- Distraction and Humor in Stress Reduction
- Visualization and Guided Imagery Techniques for Stress Reduction
- Hypnosis and Autogenic Training for Stress Reduction
- Environmental, Social and Spiritual Strategies for Stress Relief
- The Vitality of Natural Environments for Stress Reduction
- Food and Pets as Stress Relief Tools
- Socialization and Altruistic Acts as Stress Relief
- Religious/Spiritual Practice for Stress Reduction
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Stress Prevention
- Stress Prevention
- Stress Prevention: A Values Clarification Exercise
- Time Management to Prevent Stress
- Assertiveness and Interpersonal Boundaries in Stress Reduction
- Stress Inoculation Therapy
- Developing a Personalized Stress Prevention Plan
- Developing a Stress Prevention Plan Part 2
- Selecting Methods and Making a Commitment in Stress Prevention
- Tracking Your Progress and Maintaining Your Gains in Stress Prevention
- Additional Stress Reduction and Prevention Resources
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The Nature of Stress
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News
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Questions and Answers
- Husband Jealous of my Friends and Family
- What's Wrong With Me?
- ADD Maybe?
- Stress and Loss of Feeling or Emotional Deadness
- My BoyfriendLlied to Me About His Ex.
- Please, A Response!!!!!
- Can't Stand Noise
- Is Psychosis Curable?
- Anxiety
- Paranoid Thoughts
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22 more
- Do I Need Help?
- What Is Wrong with Me?
- Should I Seek Help?
- Premonitions
- I Love Her, but I Want That Spark Back
- PTSD
- Elderly Parents
- Am I Crazy?
- Concerned
- Disconnected
- I'm overemotional! What's wrong with me?
- Need a Solution (Hair Pulling) - Cat
- My Health
- what to do about built up tension inside
- Do I feel stress?
- Is Something Wrong With Her?
- Dealing With General Discontent
- Part Time Work and Stress
- Arranged Marriage
- Seizures Interfering With Love
- Countering Type A With Assertiveness
- Sick Husband
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Book & Media Reviews
- Anxiety, Phobias, and Panic
- Change Your Thinking
- De-Stress Your Life in 7 Easy Steps
- Element: Yoga for Stress Relief & Flexibility
- Emotions, Stress, and Health
- Everyday Yoga for Stress Release
- Job Stress and the Librarian
- Knowing the Nature of Fear
- Kundalini Yoga to Detox and Destress DVD
- Learn to Relax
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13 more
- Meditation for Optimum Health
- Meditation in a New York Minute
- Stress
- Stress Relief to Go
- Stress Survival Guide
- The Joy of Meditating
- The Spa Deck
- The Stress Less Workbook
- The Stress Owner's Manual
- The Stress Reduction Workbook for Teens
- The SuperStress Solution
- Thriving Under Stress
- Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief
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Links
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Videos
- How Do You Manage Stress?
- How to Stay Calm When You Know You'll Be Stressed
- Managing Stress
- Beating the Holiday Blues
- How to Stay Happy and Healthy through the Holidays?
- Are You Stressed?
- Tips To Reduce Holiday Stress And Find Your Bliss
- Understanding Your Stress
- Stress Video
- 7 Steps to Reducing Stress
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25 more
- Is Stress Making You Sick?
- 5 Ways to Decrease Stress During the Holidays
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
- What is Mindfulness?
- The Good and Bad Stress
- The Link Between Stress and Depression
- Terror Related Stress
- Emotional Stress Can Cause Illness
- Post Holiday Blues
- Stress in America - Conquering Your Stress
- Dealing with Stress
- How Your Brain Can Turn Anxiety into Calmness
- How to make stress your friend
- The Art of Stress-Free Productivity: David Allen
- 90:10 The Single Most Important Thing You Can Do For Your Stress
- Coping With Stress: Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Reduction
- Tips on how to manage everyday stress
- Stress Relief Tools To Help You Be Happy When Stressed
- Stress Will Kill You
- 5 Problem-Solving Skills to Manage Workplace Stress
- Outsmarting Stress and Enhancing Resilience
- Stress & the Heart – What You Need to Know
- Can Work Stress Hurt Your Heart?
- Good Stress Vs. Bad Stress
- 5 Tips for Coping with Natural Disaster Stress
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More Information
Topics
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Addictions
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Aging & Elder Care
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Assessments & Interventions
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Career & Workplace
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Emotional Well-Being
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Life Issues
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Parenting & Child Care
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Abuse
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ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
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Adoption
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Autism
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Child & Adolescent Development: Overview
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Child & Adolescent Development: Puberty
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Child Development & Parenting: Early (3-7)
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Child Development & Parenting: Infants (0-2)
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Child Development & Parenting: Middle (8-11)
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Child Development & Parenting:Adolescence (12-24)
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Child Development Theory: Adolescence (12-24)
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Child Development Theory: Middle Childhood (8-11)
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Childhood Mental Disorders and Illnesses
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Childhood Special Education
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Divorce
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Family & Relationship Issues
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Intellectual Disabilities
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Learning Disorders
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Oppositional Defiant Disorder
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Parenting
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Self Esteem
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Psychological Disorders
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Anxiety Disorders
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Bipolar Disorder
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Conversion Disorders
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Depression: Depression & Related Conditions
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Dissociative Disorders
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Domestic Violence and Rape
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Eating Disorders
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Impulse Control Disorders
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Intellectual Disabilities
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Mental Disorders
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Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
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Personality Disorders
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
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Schizophrenia
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Sexual Disorders
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Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
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Suicide
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Tourettes and other Tic Disorders
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