Spotlight

• Library Workers Who Are Neurodivergent – Part Two

  By Kelley McDaniel

  In part one of this article, the author discussed the issue of unemployment/underemployment of adults who are neurodivergent in the context of libraries and used the Autism @ Work Playbook to provide concrete strategies for helping libraries become part of the solution to the problem. In this second part, we hear directly from a library worker who is neurodivergent. In Question & Answer format, they describe their experience trying to establish a career in libraries. 

  We Need … Read the rest

Career Advancement

• Time to Learn Something New

  As a new year begins, millions of people around the world have made new year’s resolutions. However, many of those people will likely abandon those goals by the end of next month (if not sooner). Often, the problem with self-improvement goals is that they are too big, too complicated, too vague, too intimidating, and not necessarily achievable. The same often holds true for training/learning goals. Who has the time at work to embark on a college semester’s worth of training … Read the rest

• Advance Registration for LibLearnX Ends January 15

  Advance registration for LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience (LLX), which will be held January 27-30 in New Orleans, will close January 15. Attendees of LibLearnX will have access to hands-on workshops, bite-size sessions, and other formats designed to match preferred learning styles with an emphasis on experiential learning. LLX includes the ALA Governance Institute, the LLX Marketplace, Youth Media Awards, and much more.

  Here is a sampling of programs we think you might find of interest.

  Growing … Read the rest

HR Practice

• CPR: What Every Person Who Works in a Library Should Know

  If you watch football or if you’ve seen the news any time within the last week, you may have heard about the Buffalo Bills’ player Damar Hamlin who collapsed on the field from cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals (Jan. 2, 2023). It was devastating to watch the reactions of players from both teams who surrounded Hamlin as they witnessed the unfolding medical trauma. The coaches and onsite medical staff reacted quickly and administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). … Read the rest

• Continuing to Support Mental Health in the Workplace

  The pandemic made it clear that people were (and are) struggling with mental health concerns. Efforts to destigmatize mental health issues abound. Celebrities, sports personalities, and others have all spoken up about their battles with mental health. Yet, some people feel that since we have gotten past the critical point of the pandemic —where hospitals are no longer overwhelmed with treating people suffering from the effects of COVID— it’s time to move on. But I say, not so fast. We … Read the rest

Salaries

• Retirement Legislation Passes the House, the Senate and Signed by President Biden

  In December 2022, Congress finally pushed through its $1.7 trillion spending bill which was signed by President Biden. Among a variety of other measures, the bill included retirement legislation known as Secure 2.0. The SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act was signed into law in 2019. The updated version SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 adds more than 90 new provisions to retirement planning. Many say the changes will make saving for retirement easier and encourage millions … Read the rest

• Minimum Wage Increases Across Most of the Country

  The start of a new year often brings increases to minimum wages for workers across the nation. According to the Economic Policy Institute, more than 8 million people will be getting raises this year. Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia are raising their minimum wage in 2023. These states will see minimum wage hikes ranging from $0.23 to $1.50 an hour. States that increased at the beginning of the year include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, … Read the rest

Work/Life

• Toxic Positivity at Work: Examples and Ways to Manage It

  Have you ever felt a little down, and someone came along, said something positive that encouraged you, and helped you to feel better? Did you appreciate what was said? More than likely, you did. It can be good to have optimistic people who can help you get out of a bad mood. Most of us know the value of an encouraging word when feeling down. However, sometimes people want to help others get rid of their “negative” emotions so much … Read the rest

HR Law

• Increased Legislative Protections for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Workers that Employers Need to be Aware of

  On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Spending Bill into law. The bill includes two acts that help working mothers who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (known as the PUMP Act) were both part of the bill.

  Brief details of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA)

  This bill prohibits employment practices that discriminate against making reasonable accommodations for qualified employees … Read the rest