defining moments: decoding library job satisfaction
TRANSCRIPT
Defining Moments:
Decoding Library Job Satisfaction
Defining Moments:Decoding library job satisfaction
Over the next hour you will:• Learn about library staffing compliments and
investments
• Explore ways to challenge traditional thinking about library jobs
• Consider personal roles and match them to professional skills
Beth Maddigan
Librarian - Faculty of Education, Memorial University
Former Provincial Children’s Librarian, NL Public Libraries
Former Children’s Services Coordinator, Cambridge Libraries & Galleries
Author and instructor
Meet your Presenter
Let’s take a poll to see who is out there in the virtual world today
Introduce yourself…
The Job Satisfaction Puzzle
No matter where you work, job satisfaction has multiple players and dimensions.
It is dynamic, changeable - and often- elusive.
EmployerMandate
Vision
Strategic plan
Staff investment
The Job Satisfaction Puzzle
Employerinvested in staff?It doesn’t always feelthat way.
How invested?Take your best guess…
The Job Satisfaction Puzzle
Indicate the operating budget percentage you think libraries spend on staffing.
How much do libraries typically spend on staffing?
Note: Results from the most recent American Library Association (ALA) Library Fact Sheet.
Public Libraries spend the largest percentage on staffing – ALA reports 66% for American libraries. CULC (Canadian Urban Libraries Council) reports about 63% in 2009 in Canadian urban public libraries
Academic Libraries spend about 50% according to ALA, the numbers in Canada are likely a little higher.
How much do libraries typically spend on staffing?
EmployerMandate
VisionStrategic plan
Staff investment
+YOU
The Job Satisfaction Puzzle
What is MY role in this investment?
Make the most of this job while you have it.
When you are applying for a new job, learn about your employer AND yourself.
The Job Satisfaction Puzzle
How?• Learn about your
library’s mandate, vision, strategic plan
• Learn how your job fits in the big picture
• Value-added thinking
The Job Satisfaction Puzzle
How can you add value AND fit
into your employer’s big
picture?
Probably *not* like
this
Using your chat box, type in your guess for the job title that each of the next 6 people hold
Judging a Book by its Cover
Hint: they are NOT all librarians…Note: You may know one or two of these folks (if so, don’t type!)
Defining ActivityGrab a piece of paper. While we are looking at the 6 people we just met and how they define themselves…
Define yourself using 5 nouns. To help choose your five, think about the most personally or professionally fulfilling aspects of your life…. What do you do for fun? What makes you happy? What are you most proud of?
momma
friend
yogini
actress
author
Aedon
Young
Job titles: Teacher & Author
father, husband, story-teller, peace-keeper, son
JeremyTankard
Job Title: Authorstrator
mommy lover
dancer
librarian dreamer
Mic
hele
H
op
kin
s
Job Title: Branch Head
Job Title: Community Event Planner
List 5 roles & use only nouns. Consider all aspects of your life.
Define yourself…
positive outlook
open to innovation
hopeful for the future
recognizes strengths
has high expectations
optimist
persistent
dedicated
appreciates diversity
determined
open-minded
activist
nurturing
forward thinking
patient
tolerant
resourceful with money
father
Further ReadingDonovan, G. L., & Figueroa, M. A. (2009). Staff development
strategies that work: Stories and strategies from new librarians. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers.
Everett, A. (2011). Benefits and challenges of fun in the workplace. Library Leadership & Management, 25(1), 1-10.
Goulding, A. (1995). I want to work with books and people: The job satisfaction of public library support staff. Public Library Journal, 10, 71-74.
Ingles, E. B., & 8Rs Canadian Library Human Resource Study. (2005). The future of human resources in canadian libraries. Edmonton, Alta.: 8Rs Canadian Library Human Resource Study.
Further ReadingKane, L. T. (2003). Straight from the stacks : A firsthand guide to
careers in library and information science. Chicago, Ill: American Library Association.
Kenney, B. (2009). Happy days. School Library Journal, 55(1), 28-31.
Lim, S. (2007). Library informational technology workers: Their sense of belonging, role, job autonomy, and job satisfaction. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 33(4), 492-500.
Metz, R. F. (2001). Coaching in the library : A management strategy for achieving excellence. Chicago: American Library Association.
Williamson, J. M., Pemberton, A. F., & Lounsbury, J. W. (2005). An investigation of career and job satisfaction in relation to personality traits of information professionals. The Library Quarterly, 75(2), 122-141.