The Library Manager Files - Case of the Clogged Pipes

 

The Library Manager Files

File #1: The Case of the Clogged Pipes

📁 File #1

Case Name: The Case of the Clogged Pipes
Location: Public Library

Status: Closed ✔️

When I accepted my first library manager position, I imagined spending my first few weeks getting to know my staff, meeting community members, and planning exciting programs for the library.

Reality had other plans for me.

Right at the end of my first week I get a frantic report from the staff that water is rising up outside of the children's area and it looks like it's dirty water coming up from the pipes. The restrooms had backed up, the area outside of the children's area was flooding quickly and it became clear to me that I was going to have to start thinking fast on what to do. To make matters even more interesting, the library is an older building with aging and angry pipes, so the combination of eons-old plumbing and something else very unexpected backing up the lines created quite a memorable introduction to library management for me.

Ok, so first things first. What should you do when an event like this occurs? Glad you asked

1. Stay calm

2. Contact the public works and library administration

3. Alert patrons that the library may need to close due to an emergency

4. Wait to hear what the issue is and if you need to close

5. Close the library if needed, but make sure you have your upper management's approval first

6. Put up closed signs and assist staff in either finding another branch to work at or taking time off

In case this ever happens to you (and I sincerely hope it doesn't), here's what I learned.

I knew I couldn't fix the plumbing. What I did know is that I could do was stay calm, communicate with my staff, keep patrons informed, work with our facilities team, and make the best decisions I could while everyone worked together to solve the problem.

Needless to say, this wasn't something they covered in library school.

I remember standing there thinking, "Well...this certainly isn't how I imagined my first week as a manager would be."

That week was really a good experience for me. I realized as the manager, my job was to communicate with the city and our admin office staff, support our patrons as we ended up having to close the library, put up a sorry we're closed for the day sign as quickly as possible, and to keep moving everyone through the situation as calmly as possible.

Over the years, there would be many more unexpected moments that would definitely outshine this plumbing fiasco. I've never forgotten that first lesson because it gave me a glimpse of the skills I needed to handle a busy public library. 

All in all, working in a public library you'll most likely

Have some days you'll recommend a wonderful book.

Have some days you'll help someone find life-changing information.

And have some days...

After the facilities crew investigated, they found the culprit.

A pair of PANTS had clogged the pipes.

Yes...an actual pair of pants was flushed down one of the toilets and clogged the pipes and that made it burst and overflow!

The universe was probably laughing saying welcome to managing a public library!

I do have a few extra notes to share with you:

Manager's Notes

• Public libraries are wonderfully unpredictable.
• You don't have to know how to solve every problem yourself.
• Stay calm, communicate clearly, and trust the people who know what to do.
• Sometimes the most unexpected days become the ones that teach you the most.

📁 Filed Under: Crisis Management, New Managers, & Lessons Learned

Tune in next week to hear about the Case of the Mysterious Black Goo

Introducing New Series - The Library Manager Files!

 

The Library Manager Files

For the past 15 years I had the pleasure of managing several public libraries. During that time, I collected far more than meeting notes, reports, and paperwork. I collected a lifetime of stories.

Some of them made me and others laugh.

Some of them kept me awake at night.

Some of them remind me why I love libraries.

And many of them taught me lessons that no one could have ever prepared me for.

Now that I'm retired (as of June 30th, Yay!) I thought it would be fun to start unpacking some of my files (mental files of course) and go one by one and share with you what I learned along the way.

Stories have always been one of my favorite ways to connect with people. I love discovering the humor in unexpected moments, the compassion in challenging ones, and the human connections that remind us we're never navigating life alone. I believe every story has two endings: the one that happened...and the lesson we carry with us afterward.

Just in case you're wondering. The names and locations and any other identifiable attributes will be changed for privacy issues. Librarians love to uphold privacy. However, the stories and lesson are all detailed to the best of my memory.

If you've ever worked in a public library, I hope these stories make you smile, nod your head, and maybe even think, "Yep...I've been there."

If you're a new manager or thinking about becoming one, then I hope these stories give you a glimpse into just how wonderfully unpredictable public libraries can be and not the complete opposite :)

In my series the Library Manager Files:

*Each file has a story.

*Each story has a lesson.

And every once in a while, you'll find yourself wondering...

"Did that really happen?"

The answer is probably most likely umm yes.

Make sure to grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and tune into the Library Manager Files.

See you next week for...

📁 File #1: The Case of the Soggy Pants

You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup: The Reality of Compassion Fatigue

Understanding Compassion Fatigue

Compassion fatigue is real, and it’s something library workers experience all the time. When you spend your days helping others, especially those facing hardships, you give a lot of yourself. Over time, that constant emotional output can lead to exhaustion, frustration, and even questioning why you chose to do this work in the first place. I say it all the time: “Did I choose the wrong field?” I do love working in a library, but there are many times that I feel like it’s really overwhelming. So, it’s important to recognize when you’re feeling depleted, because ignoring it doesn’t make it go away.

Importance of Self-Care

I recently heard the saying “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” This saying really resonates with me and sounds all too true. It’s easy to see how library workers become overloaded and overstressed. I see it all too often in library-related email threads; so many library workers are looking to leave the field entirely, seeking roles that offer better balance and support. We don’t have to leave the library field entirely to do this. There are some ways we can practice self-care to get that better balance we’re looking for. Some of the things that can help are practicing mindfulness and setting clear boundaries. I’ve experienced this firsthand, and believe me, I wish I could go back in time and set more boundaries, but I can only go forward now, and the boundaries are up! Another big one is practicing saying no instead of always instinctively saying yes. I know this one is hard, especially for someone who wants to please everyone. In the long run, one of the best ways you can practice self-care and set those boundaries is practice saying no. I know it can be hard to say no, but you've got to at least try to say no sometimes.

Another important thing I’ve learned along the way is that a daily self-care routine helps you recharge, stay balanced, and manage stress more effectively. If you can prioritize even a few small self-care habits each day, it can make a big difference in your mental, emotional, and physical well-being, or from a holistic perspective, mind, body, & spirit. Some simple self-care activities I’ve tried to incorporate into my day are journaling my thoughts, going for walks outside, and engaging in a hobby that I love. Another important one is taking time to hydrate and nourish your body. The key here is consistency. Remember that small, intentional acts of self-care add up over time and help you to be healthier, happier, and more resilient.

Navigating the Challenges & Finding Balance

Despite the hard days, many of us stay in this field because we believe in what libraries stand for and we love working with our patrons and our communities. We know the difference libraries can make in people’s lives, and that’s what keeps many of us going. So, here’s what I think will help us to continue doing this work in a way that’s sustainable. We have to take care of ourselves; actually, this is a must! This means setting boundaries, knowing when to step back and say no, and try this one out too, let’s lean on our coworkers and our support systems when we need to. We’ll talk about support systems later in unit four. Here’s another one I fit in quite often—take time off when you need it. This is practicing self-care even if it’s just one day or a half day. This time off is essential in order to refresh and recharge, especially if you are feeling overwhelmed.

Acknowledging Library Work

We all know that library work is important and very meaningful, but we also know that it can be emotionally draining and demanding. Here’s what we can do. We can acknowledge that there are hard parts to library work, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t love the library. We still do. It just means that we need to be honest about the demands and know what we need to do to take care of ourselves.

I’d like to share something that has always been helpful for me. It's talking about my library experiences with other library workers and trusted family members. Whether it's wild stories that happen in the library or sweet stories about helping patrons find books, or even difficulties with other workers or upper management, it really helps to share your experiences. Many times I have felt my passion for libraries falter when something unheard of happens at my library. After talking about it, I feel a lot better, and my passion for my work can be reignited, but sometimes it takes time.

Taking time for yourself and practicing self-care is not selfish. The main key point is that we have to remember that self-care is a necessary element that we need in our lives to thrive.

The more we talk about the challenges of library work, the more we can support each other. One of my goals is to bring library workers together to create a self-care revolution where we all support each other. We have to remember that we are not alone in this work, and we don’t have to navigate it alone or in isolation either. Together we are stronger. By coming together and sharing our experiences and prioritizing our self-care, we can become stronger and more resilient. Send me a message if you're interested in chatting 💛

We're in this together,

the Compassionate Librarian

All images used in this section are licensed through iStock by Getty Images

From Writing to Storytelling: How One Group Found Their Voice

I’ve been doing a lot of research on intergenerational literacy and oral history and researching ideas like Gentelligence and exploring how different generations communicate, preserve stories, and pass on traditions lately. Along the way, memories of my own experiences keep bubbling up, reminding me why understanding intergenerational literacy and keeping storytelling alive is so important.

One memory in particular that came back to me was from about a year ago. It was a difficult time for me because my writing group that I had been hosting at the library for several years fell apart. I was saddened by the ending of this group because it had been so magical. Well, in true Compassionate Librarian form, I wanted to keep the magic going, so I found myself starting something new: a storytelling circle. I am someone who loves stories. I am surrounded by books all day, every day, I find myself drawn to stories in every form. 

So I leaned into what I know best: talking to groups and sharing stories.

Our very first gathering centered around banned books. I wheeled in a full cart of titles from the Top 10 Challenged list, and what unfolded was magical. Each person had a personal connection to a book on that cart. I read this in high school. I found this during a difficult time in my life and it comforted me. This was my favorite story growing up. What began as a discussion of censorship quickly became a circle of memories, reflections, and laughter.

As we talked, connections emerged. I could see it wasn't just between people and books, it was clearly between multiple generations sharing stories that are valuable and meaningful. We found ourselves reflecting on how stories shape identity, comfort us in hard times, and offer perspectives that sometimes scare the world enough to be challenged. We realized that among all of our collective memories there are many stories worth telling.

That day, this new group bonded. We decided to meet monthly and share stories, memories, and carry on oral traditions. Family, holidays, ghosts, places we grew up, the conversations all just flowed naturally, weaving together threads of lived experience that transcended beyond anyone's age or background. The ages spanned from teens to seasoned adults. 

Looking back now, I see that what began as the end of one group became the beginning of a new kind of community. Just like Djo’s song End of Beginning, we found our group in another version and we were in it. We were definitely in it. All we needed was a space to talk, to listen, and to honor the stories that connect us across generations. It was so amazing!

Sometimes, when writing fades, storytelling finds its voice and I want to give tribute to this group for bringing back the art of storytelling and preservation the tradition of oral history. 

Until next time,

the Compassionate Librarian

What Library Outreach Means — And Why Equity Must Lead the Way

The New Era of Outreach

Outreach has always been important in library work, but since the pandemic it has taken on an even more critical role. The challenges of COVID-19 exposed inequities that were always there: the digital divide, the lack of access to reliable health information, the isolation of seniors, the struggles of unhoused community members, and the barriers faced by immigrants and refugees.

Libraries stepped up in new ways by offering Wi-Fi in parking lots, creating curbside services, helping people sign up for vaccines, and providing phone check-ins for seniors who couldn’t come in. These weren’t extras. These were and still are essential resources. Outreach has become the heartbeat of library service, and if we are truly committed to equity, we can’t treat it as optional.

What Outreach Really Means

When many people hear the word outreach, they picture taking programs outside the library walls — a storytime in the park, a table at a school fair. And yes, those are important. But outreach goes deeper.

At its core, outreach is about meeting people where they are. It’s about listening to communities, learning what barriers they face, and connecting them with resources that make a difference. It’s not about what we think people should want — it’s about asking, What do you need? How can we help?

Outreach is, at its heart, relationship-building. It’s not transactional. It’s about trust, compassion, and consistency.

Equity Must Be at the Center

Outreach without equity risks overlooking the very people who need us most. If we only plan programs for the people who are already comfortable walking into our buildings, we’re missing entire communities.

Equity-driven outreach asks harder questions:

• Who is excluded?

• Who feels invisible?

• Who can’t access our services — and why?

When we place equity at the center, our focus shifts to vulnerable and underserved groups: unhoused patrons, seniors, LGBTQ+ teens, English language learners, immigrants and refugees, people with disabilities, rural communities, and families living in food deserts and many more vulnerable or invisible community members.

Equity-driven outreach means rethinking not just what we do, but who we design for — and whether our services are reaching those who need them most.

                                         Contra Costa County Library's Rolling Reader


Equity in Action

Examples of equity-driven outreach are everywhere if you know where to look:

• A seed library or community garden project in a food desert.

• Partnering with social service agencies to help unhoused patrons apply for housing or access healthcare.

• Creating bilingual storytimes and programs co-designed with immigrant families.

• Hosting resource fairs in neighborhoods far from the nearest library branch.

At Concord Library, one of the ways we live this out is by providing outreach at the local warming shelter. During the coldest months of the year, our staff bring library resources, conversation, and connection directly to unhoused patrons who are seeking warmth and safety. It’s not just about handing out books — it’s about showing up, being present, and reminding people that the library sees them, values them, and is part of their support network.

The Role of Relationships and Trust

Equity-driven outreach something we do to engage with our community members that aren't always visible. We have to step outside of the library walls and this work many times requires cultural humility: listening first, respecting lived experiences, and being willing to learn.

It also requires partnerships. Schools, nonprofits, shelters, faith-based groups, advocacy organizations, and healthcare providers are often already serving vulnerable populations. When libraries join forces with them, we amplify our collective impact. Outreach succeeds not through one-off programs, but through relationships, trust, and collaboration.

Shifts in the Profession: Outreach Roles Are Growing

The profession is catching up to this reality. More and more libraries are creating positions like Outreach Librarian, Community Engagement Specialist, and Equity Coordinator. These roles reflect the understanding that outreach isn’t a side project — it’s specialized, intentional work that requires creativity, empathy, and strategy.

For those entering the profession or looking to grow in their careers, these roles signal a shift: libraries are investing in outreach as a core part of what we do, not an optional add-on.

The Bigger Picture: Outreach as Transformation

Outreach is not “one and done.” It’s not a single program or a single season. It’s long-term change work.

When libraries commit to equity-driven outreach, we transform ourselves as much as our communities. We become spaces of belonging. We become places where compassion isn’t just a value on a poster but something people experience in action. We become connectors, advocates, and allies.

Outreach Matters

Outreach has always mattered, but in our post-pandemic world it has become more urgent and more powerful than ever. Libraries that lead with compassion and equity will not only meet needs — they will create lasting transformation.

Because at the end of the day, outreach is not just a program. It’s about connection and meeting people where they are. 

Happy outreach adventures,

the Compassionate Librarian

Building Bridges, Sharing Voices: Lessons in Generational Communication 💙🌍🌟💚

I just wrapped up teaching a brand new course I designed for ALA eLearning Solutions called Bridging the Gap: Communicating Across Generations in the Library Workplace, and I have to say it turned out to be such a meaningful learning experience. Not only for my wonderful participants, but also for me.

As the instructor, I went into it excited to share resources, activities, and creative frameworks I’ve been developing for many years now, but what really made the course so special was the participants. These very brave souls who signed up and committed to a six-week course right in the middle of summer. Their insights, stories, and willingness to dive in made each week richer and more meaningful than I could have ever asked for.

I also grew so much from the process of creating the content itself. Designing activities, pulling together research, and finding fun ways to connect communication theory with real library life gave me new perspectives on a subject I thought I already knew well. Teaching always reminds me that learning is a two-way street. I thought it might be nice to share some of my favorite ideas and takeaways from the course here on the Compassionate Librarian blog. So, I'll be sharing some of my favorite communication tools with  you. Think of it as a series that will have you excited about practicing communication and will also help you through work generational gaps as well. 

I can’t wait to keep the conversation going.

Here's to learning together,

the Compassionate Librarian

Inspiring Change Together: Youth Voices for a Greener Tomorrow

 

Youth Voices for Climate Justice

Last week I had the absolute privilege of working with six amazing young adults from the Bay Area to host the Youth Voices Climate Justice Summit on Zoom. The event was part of my wrap-up for the California State Library’s Youth and Family First Partner Book to Action grant, centered on the powerful book Front Country by Sarah St. Antoine.

The panelists shared their journeys into climate justice: what first sparked their passion, the community projects they’re building, and the organizations that have supported them along the way.

What touched me the most was their honesty about the emotional side of climate activism. They didn’t shy away from talking about burnout, grief, or frustration. Instead, they emphasized the importance of self-care and resilience whether that meant stepping outside, spending time with friends, or remembering the small victories that keep hope alive.

It was also incredible to see how supportive they were of each other. They were complimenting one another, celebrating projects, and giving props for the ideas shared. 

That spirit of encouragement was so inspiring and made the conversation feel like a true community of changemakers.

It was a reminder that real change doesn’t always start in big arenas. Sometimes it begins in smaller, intimate spaces where people are brave enough to share their stories, their challenges, and their dreams for a better world.

I’m so grateful to these youth leaders for their wisdom, courage, and energy. They truly are the voices of our future and they helped other youth to be more inspired to join in and become an advocate.  

Much love for our planet,

the Compassionate Librarian