Changing the mindset of pre-service librarians: Moving from library servants to public servants

Subramaniam, Mega; Braun, Linda

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/110931 Copy

Description

Title

Changing the mindset of pre-service librarians: Moving from library servants to public servants

Author(s)

• Subramaniam, Mega
• Braun, Linda

Issue Date

2021-09-20

Keyword(s)

• Pre-service librarian training
• Disaster preparedness
• Youth and families
• Librarians’ mindset

Abstract

In the summer of 2020, we engaged in a participatory design process (also known as co-design) with 137 library staff from across the United States. These library staff provided insight into how public libraries built services to support non-dominant youth and families during crises. Through this work, we learned that these staff had a library servant instead of a public servant mindset. Public servants make decisions with community members. Library servants make decisions for them. We designed and published a Field Guide to help public library staff better understand how to work with and for communities during crisis times. We share our findings related to library staff mindsets in this paper.

Series/Report Name or Number

• Public libraries
• Community-led services
• Community engagement
• Young adult services

Type of Resource

Text

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/110931

Owning Collections