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-ti= m-schlak/1139467390

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

Academic libraries need to move beyond incremental and peripheral developme=
nt of services, spaces and structures to a more fundamental and radical ret= hinking of their core mission and service philosophy to realign their resou= rces, 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 lib= rarians, embedded and participatory librarianship, and inside-out and pop-u=
p 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 cu= lture needed for libraries to operate effectively as dynamic social organiz= ations 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 lo=
ok at all areas of their practice in a unified holistic way through a socia=
l lens. Concepts and theories of intellectual and social capital can give p= ractitioners new perspectives on their work and provide a framework for the=
hard reset needed for academic libraries to remain relevant in the 21st ce= ntury.

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

Of special note are the examples of application areas that include academic=
liaison, collection development, data services, information literacy, libr= ary 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 So= cial Future of Academic Libraries: New Perspectives on Communities, Network=
s, and Engagement" is comprehensive and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in org= anization and presentation. It should be noted for the personal, profession= al, community, and academic library collections that "The Social Future of = Academic Libraries: New Perspectives on Communities, Networks, and Engageme= nt" 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 Pittsburg=
h, 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 Un= iversity. Prior to joining Robert Morris, he was Library Director at Northw= estern College in Orange City, IA, where he spearheaded the DeWitt Learning=
Commons project. He has authored a number of publications about the changi=
ng social context of libraries with particular emphasis on social capital a=
nd engagement.

Editorial Note #2: Sheila Corrall (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheila_Cor= rall) is Professor of Library and Information Science in the Department of = Information Culture and Data Stewardship at the University of Pittsburgh, P=
A, where she is lead faculty for academic information services. Her researc=
h interests include evolving roles in academic libraries, reflective practi=
ce 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/d= etail/bracke) is Dean of Library Services at Gonzaga University. In this ro= le, he provides leadership and oversight for Library Services, the Office o=
f Sponsored Research and Programs, and the Academic Technology Applications=
Support unit. He has published and presented on the social relations of li= brarians and emerging roles for librarians, particularly in relation to res= earch.

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 conceptu= alized as a vocation or calling rather than a profession. Within this histo= rical context, librarians are encouraged to think of ourselves as possessin=
g a natural disposition to showing perpetual engagement, enthusiasm, and se= lf-regulation in pursuit of our shared vocation. These assumptions about th=
e profession can sometimes shield us from introspective criticism, but they=
can also prevent us from recognizing and managing the systemic occupationa=
l issues that afflict us.

Co-edited by the team of Christina Holm, Ana Guimaraes, and Nashieli Marcan=
o, "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 Respons=
es to Burnout) this seminal study offers ways to discuss burnout in our wor=
k environments, studies burnout's nature and causes, and provides preventat= ive intervention and mitigation strategies:

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

"Burnout: Causes and Responses" specifically addresses unsustainable work e= nvironments and the preservation and celebration of the unique contribution=
s 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 li= brary board members), "Burnout: Causes and Responses" is unreservedly recom= mended for personal, professional, community, and academic library collecti= ons.

Editorial Note #1: Christina Holm (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-ho= lm-3849a759) is the Teaching & Learning Team Lead, Instruction Coordinator,=
and a Librarian Associate Professor at Kennesaw State University. With ove=
r 9 years of professional experience working in academic libraries and publ=
ic services, she is passionate about information access, library service de= sign, 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 dev= elopment experience in academic libraries, including public archives and un= iversity special collections, she is passionate about library collections, = project management and process improvement, and advocating for staff develo= pment 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 wo=
rk and interests involves digital curation; diversity, equity, and inclusio=
n efforts; exploring issues in academic librarianship; and digital scholars= hip. She holds a doctorate degree in Latin American Languages, Literatures,=
and Cultures from the University of Pittsburgh.

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