Since March 2020 librarians, along with the entire world, have been experiencing acute levels of stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic. Recently, stressors related to civil conflict have exacerbated panic levels. How can we help our exhausted library workers serving exhausted library patrons? Which resources can help library workers with burnout and anxiety? There are no magical solutions, but by working together over time we can build networks to support each other.

This webinar is co-organized by IFLA Continuing Professional Development and Workforce Learning (CPDWL) Section and New Professionals Special Interest Group (NPSIG).

Agenda

  • Introductions
  • General resources supporting wellness for librarians
  • Questions & Answers moderated by Loida Garcia-Febo

Speakers

Loida Garcia-Febo, USA 🇺🇸

  • Loida Garcia-Febo is a Puerto Rican American librarian and International Library Consultant expert in library services to diverse populations and human rights. President of the American Library Association 2018–2019. Garcia-Febo is worldwide known for her passion about diversity, communities, sustainability, innovation and digital transformation, library workers, library advocacy, wellness for library workers, and new librarians about which she has taught in 28 countries. In her job, she helps libraries, companies and organizations strategize programs, services and strategies in areas related to these topics and many others. Garcia-Febo has a Bachelors in Business Education, Masters in Library and Information Sciences.
  • Moderator for this webinar, in her role as IFLA Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning (CPDWL) Section advisory group member.

Bobbie Newman, USA 🇺🇸

  • Bobbi Newman is a librarian, writer, consultant, library advocate, and international speaker. She is the author of the forthcoming book Fostering Wellness in the Workplace: A Guide for Libraries. Newman serves as a member of the Advisory Board for Let’s Move in Libraries. She is currently the Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist for the Network of the National Library of Medicine Region Six at the University of Iowa.

Hella Klauser, Germany 🇩🇪

  • Since 2005: responsible for international cooperation within the Network of Excellence for Libraries (knb) at the German Library Association (Deutscher Bibliotheksverband dbv) in Berlin, Germany.
  • Coordinating IFLA-issues and supporting IFLA-members in Germany and running the secretariat of the IFLA-National committee Germany.
  • 2013–2016: Head of the ‘Libraries’ Department at the Goethe-Institute (German cultural Institute), Head Office in Munich, Germany.
  • 1991–2003: Head of the libraries of the Goethe-Institutes in Tokyo, Japan, and Paris, France.
  • 1989–1991: Library Director at the German-American Institute in Heidelberg.
  • Studies of library science (diploma) and comparative literature and linguistics (M.A.) at Stuttgart University, Germany.
  • Standing Committee Member of IFLA Management of Library Associations Section (MLAS) 2nd term (since 2017); Secretary 2019–2021. Before a member of Standing Committee of IFLA Management & Marketing Section (M&M) and involved in IFLA National Organizations and International Relations (NOIR) Special Interest Group.
  • Since August 2021 representing Germany in IFLA’s new Europe Regional Division.
  • Since 2006 Member of BI-International to promote international professional exchange. BII is a Standing Committee of the umbrella organization Bibliothek & Information Deutschland (BID), the Federal Association of German Library and Information Associations.
  • Various publications and lectures on international library topics.

Ulrike Lang, Germany 🇩🇪

  • Until June 2020 she was head of the Education and Training Department at the State and University Library Hamburg, Germany, also responsible for Health management, conflict management, diversity management, and addiction prevention.
  • She is a member of the German library association (BIB) and gave several presentations at national and international conferences.
  • Ulrike Lang served at IFLA for the Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Section (CPDWL) as co-chair, was also a member of the Education and Training Section of IFLA, and is again chair of CPDWL since 2021. She is convenor of the IFLA Coaching Initiative and served also as a coach in the past years.

Magdalena Gomułka, Poland 🇵🇱

  • Magdalena Gomułka works at the Silesian Library in Katowice, Poland. She is a senior librarian in the Advisory and Training Department which coordinates the work of public libraries in the Silesia region. Magdalena is a member of the Polish Librarians Association and a convenor of IFLA New Professionals Special Interest Group (NPSIG). She graduated from University of Silesia (Scientific Information and Librarianship).

Catharina Isberg, Sweden 🇸🇪

  • Catharina Isberg is Library Director of Helsingborg City Libraries since 2013. Catharina is actively working on developing the library services to best meet the need of the community on both local, regional, national and international level.
  • Since 2011 Catharina is active in IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations) and is from 2019 part of the Management & Marketing Section (M&M) Standing Committee. During 2019-2021 Catharina served as Division Chair and on IFLA Governing Board, IFLA Congress Advisory Committee and Professional Committee. 2011-2019 Catharina was a Standing Committee Member of IFLA CPDWL.

Dr Sadie-Jane Huff, Singapore 🇸🇬

Samantha Seah, Singapore 🇸🇬

  • Samantha Seah is a Librarian and the Lead (Acting) for NTU Library’s Service Innovation & Excellence team where she drives projects of innovation to create and enhance services to elevate user experience with the Library. She is also a member of the Staff Engagement Committee which cares for the welfare of the library staff and plans events to facilitate bonding.