When Leadership Falls Short: The Crisis of Care in Library Work
Posted on in Blog Posts
Busyness Isn’t A Badge Of Honor
Posted on August 11, 2026 in Blog Posts
Authors:
Alejandro Marquez
Work addiction … is a socially-acceptable addiction … you get a lot of reward and external validation.
Morra Aarons-Mele, host of The Anxious Overachiever podcast
“Busy!” is the most common response I hear when I ask people about their day. Busyness, which is often presented as a badge of honor in the workplace, is frequently equated with importance, value, or even self-worth. It’s a subtle but powerful message that if you’re not constantly striving, achieving, or at least appearing occupied, you’re somehow failing. I sometimes have a nagging feeling that I’m perpetually behind, even though my boss tells me that I’m right on track. I tell myself that I should be able to handle everything, that my dedication is a virtue, and that prioritizing work above all else is the key to personal and professional fulfillment. Other times, I feel the unsettling thought that maybe, just maybe, “going above and beyond” has become the unspoken expectation.
In the mid-twentieth century, it was believed that technology would make our lives simpler and lead to a shorter workweek. Yet, that freedom never came to pass. Our personal and professional lives have begun to blur. We live in a technological age of emails, notifications, instant messaging, calendar invites, Zoom calls, and being constantly connected to our smartphones. Full calendars and endless to-do lists aren’t just markers of a busy week; they’ve become a rite of passage for those striving to succeed. But at what cost?
The Busyness Trap
Within the library profession, this susceptibility to busyness is arguably even more pronounced. Library work is often demanding and time-sensitive, requiring constant engagement. Workers are expected to be a resource, a guide, a confidante, and a problem-solver. The pressure to be available, responsive, and supportive can feel immense, particularly when students themselves are struggling with similar pressures.
Individuals have become trapped in a cycle of behaviors that, rather than boosting productivity, actually drain our energy and focus. Contributing to this trap are behaviors like:
- The Expectation of Immediate Availability: Email, Zoom calls, and notifications create an environment of being constantly “on-call.”
- Desire to say “Yes”: Individuals may fear disappointing others or missing opportunities.
- Being a Helper: Workers may often take on extra work without discussion, which can lead to a sense of being overwhelmed and a lack of clarity.
- Regularly Working Late: Staff who complete tasks after hours might find that this leads to a cycle of exhaustion and diminishing returns.
- Meetings: Too many meetings on a person’s schedule consume valuable time and mental energy.
Compassion Fatigue
The pervasiveness of busyness in the library is rooted in our profession’s historical commitment to compassion and care. Compassion fatigue is the emotional and physical exhaustion experienced by those constantly providing care and support. It’s the cumulative toll of advocacy work, direct student support, and the relentless urgency that permeates our daily routines. Workers are constantly asked to be empathetic, understanding, and proactive, often without adequate support or recognition. This labor of constant care, coupled with the pressure to be “always on,” can lead to a profound sense of depletion, leaving professionals feeling drained, overwhelmed, and disconnected.
Emotional Labor
Emotional labor, a concept coined by Arlie Hochschild in her book The Managed Heart (1983), describes the effort expended in regulating one’s feelings to meet others’ emotional expectations. In the library workplace, it can look like patiently guiding confused students through complex databases, defusing tense situations between patrons, offering empathetic support to individuals struggling with information overload, or even simply maintaining a calm and welcoming demeanor amidst the daily bustle of the space. Successfully navigating these interactions requires workers to manage their own feelings while simultaneously projecting an appropriate level of empathy, patience, and expertise. This can be incredibly draining, especially as it often goes unrecognized or unacknowledged, which can contribute to burnout and a sense of isolation.
Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.
Audre Lorde
Reclaiming Our Boundaries
So, what can we do? How do we navigate this culture of busyness and reclaim our well-being? Here are a few starting points:
- Recognize the Norm: The first step is acknowledging the pervasive influence of the ideal worker norms and recognizing that these do not reflect an individual’s worth or effectiveness.
- Set Boundaries: This is crucial. Establish clear boundaries around work hours, communication channels, and availability. Learn to say “no” without feeling guilty.
- Prioritize Self-Care: Workers can engage in activities that replenish energy and support well-being through exercise, mindfulness, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones.
- Advocate for Change: Within institutions, staff can advocate for policies and practices that support work-life balance, promote sustainable workloads, and recognize the importance of employee well-being.
- Redefine “Above and Beyond”: Let’s shift the conversation away from simply doing more toward doing better. Workers should focus on quality over quantity and prioritize tasks that truly align with their values and contribute to their overall goals.
- The Reitoff Principle: This principle was articulated by productivity expert Ali Abdaal, who gives individuals permission to take a day off instead of rigidly scheduling tasks and filling every minute. In the short term, it gives people a chance to rest and recharge. By intentionally creating space for rest and reflection, individuals return to work fully engaged.
- Boredom as a Catalyst for Creativity: Rather than viewing boredom as a negative state to be avoided, it’s a crucial period of mental incubation where the brain can wander, daydream, and explore connections without the constraints of immediate demands. It’s in these moments of apparent inactivity that the most innovative ideas often emerge.
Sometimes, we confuse being busy with being productive. Ultimately, creating a fulfilling and sustainable career in librarianship requires a fundamental shift in perspective. Workers need to move beyond glorifying busyness and embrace a model that values both professional contributions and personal well-being. It’s time to recognize that a “good enough job” is one that allows for balance, provides fulfillment, and respects our humanity. This isn’t an unattainable dream, but a vital necessity for a thriving profession and a healthy workforce.
About the author:
Alejandro Marquez (he/him) is a Science and Engineering Librarian at the University of Denver Libraries. He also served in the Peace Corps in El Salvador, where he worked as a Municipal Development volunteer. His research interests include library employee mental health and well-being.
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