We're All in this Together: Developing and Sustaining a Thriving Access Services Department

Academic Access Services departments are often overwhelmed with urgent daily demands that can undermine core principles, long term goals, and strategic initiatives. Losing the forest for the trees in this way can contribute to burnout, staff and student employee turnover, low morale, delays in service, and poor customer service. This session explores a strategic approach to leadership to nurture a thriving and sustainable work environment. Using real-world examples this presentation will demonstrate how intentional collaboration, self-reflection, and compassionate conflict resolution not only avoids common pitfalls, but creates an environment for individual and collective wellbeing and growth. After learning about the real-world examples, attendees will work through a guided self-reflection exercise to apply what they learned to meet needs and challenges at their home institutions. 

This webinar is appropriate for anyone serving in a supervisory role at an academic library, including support staff who supervise student employees.