Radical Love in the Library: Seeing the Humanity in Everyone

 Getting to the Heart of Library Work

“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”

— Rumi

When I think of the library, I think about how much I love being surrounded by books and people all day long. I learned about the concept of radical love a very long time ago and I have always been fascinated by the work of the poet Rumi. Radical love is at the very heart of what we library workers do, especially when we serve those the world has overlooked.

Radical love is not cutesy hearts, flowers or hugs and kisses. It’s not warm and fuzzy. It’s not passive. It’s absolutely fierce. It’s uncomfortable and pushes you out of your comfort zone more times than you will know. It requires presence, humility, and the willingness to sit beside someone dealing with internal pain. The key here is that you can't try to erase their pain, but instead, you must embrace it. 

Let's Talk More About Radical Love

Radical love is the kind of love that reaches past convenience and Rumi well-known for writing about this in his poems. Radical love is a love that sees the humanity in everyone and everything. It is not bound by titles, appearances, or how you feel. It is the kind of love that walks straight into the places others turn away from very much like the things we see on the daily at the library. poverty, addiction, grief, fear. Radical love speaks to our vulnerable neighbors, “You belong here too.”

In library work, we are invited on the daily into opportunities to practice this love.

When we speak kindly to someone who’s unhoused.
When we offer warmth to someone who’s angry.
When we are welcoming to someone who’s afraid to ask for our help.

Radical love is not about being perfect or endlessly self-sacrificing. It’s about recognizing our shared humanity and responding with empathy, not ego.

Love as a Path

Rumi’s version of love isn’t something you fall into. It is a path. A discipline. A practice. A way of returning to the heart again and again. When you think about library work, isn’t that what our calling is after all?

Library work challenges us to let go of our assumptions, check our reactions, and show up with compassion, even when we’re tired, even when we don’t get recognition, even when we ourselves are hurting.

There have been many moments in my own journey over the last twenty years in libraries when I realized:

I’m not here to fix people. I’m here to listen to them. Walk beside them. Hold space for their light, even if they can’t see it yet.

Radical love in the library is about choosing compassion, not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary. It reminds us that our patrons are not problems to be managed, they are people to be seen.

The Poetry of Service and Connection

“Be like a tree and let the dead leaves drop."

— Rumi

There’s something sacred about serving those who are in need and there’s something poetic about connection that blooms in unexpected places. When someone walks through our doors and feels unseen, ignored, or written off by the world, we have the power to "drop our dead leaves" and help them. With one smile, with one hello, we can transform lives.

These are the moments that stay with us 🦋
The teen who finally feels safe enough to open up.
The elderly patron who finds comfort in friendly conversations.
The person experiencing homelessness who smiles when you say hello or welcome.

Radical love is poetry in motion. It is the line between silence and kindness. The rhythm of showing kindness and compassion again and again. This kind of service allows the dead leaves to drop and new foliage to bloom.

Libraries as Sacred Ground

When we root our work in radical love, the library becomes more than a resource hub, it becomes sacred ground. A place where equity lives, where hope can breathe, where transformation quietly takes root. We don't have to call it spiritual. We don't have to name it anything at all. We know it when we feel it. That still, quiet moment when someone realizes they are welcome in the library makes all the difference in the world.

Reflect With Me

Here are a few reflection questions to consider as you think about radical love in your own library work, especially if you're navigating burnout, compassion fatigue, or disconnection:

• When was the last time you offered a welcoming smile to someone who didn’t expect it and how did it make you feel?

• What barriers have you had to release in order to serve with your heart?
  
  

• Can you remember a time when someone offered you radical love in your work or life?

Final Thoughts

Radical love doesn’t ask us to fix everything. It asks us to show up. To listen and to remember that the library is more than just a building. It’s a place where everyone should be met with warmth. Where the overlooked are welcomed. Where the work of transformation is happening, but very quietly, on most days.

If you’re doing even just a little right now, you’re already walking that path, so kudos to you!

Here’s to the poetry of your service. Here’s to radical love, even when it’s hard. Here’s to seeing the humanity in every person who walks through our doors.

With fierce love,
the Compassionate Librarian

Pause, Breathe, & Take Time For Yourself

If You’re Reading This, You Might Just Be in Need of Some Self-Care

If you find yourself here at the Compassionate Librarian blog you might be in need of some self-care. The first thing you can do is pause for a moment and take a deep breath. Maybe you’ve been running on empty, giving your all at work, or just feeling stretched too thin. It happens to the best of us. The good news is you can take some time for yourself to practice self-care.

Some days, it’s easy to juggle everything with a smile. But other days? Not so much. Today, for example, I’m not feeling well, and managing my own energy is hard enough—let alone handling complaints, endless questions, and unexpected issues at the library. On days like this, it’s easy to put yourself last because everything feels urgent. But that’s exactly when self-care becomes most important.

What does self-care look like on tough days?
It doesn’t have to be big or elaborate. Sometimes it’s about doing what you can—even if it’s small:

• Take a break. Step away for five minutes, even if it’s just to breathe or drink water.
• Lower the bar. Give yourself permission to do the essentials and let go of perfection.
• Create a small comfort ritual. Have a cup of tea, put on music that calms you, or take a short walk around the building.
• Ask for help. Lean on your team when you need it. We’re better when we support each other.
• Remind yourself: This moment will pass. Hard days come and go. Be kind to yourself in the middle of it all.

The reality is, working with the public service can be really demanding. We show up for others, often when we’re not at our best. But self-care is what makes it sustainable. It’s not selfish—it’s survival.

So, if you’re reading this, take a moment for yourself today if you can, if not please try for tomorrow. You’ve earned it. And if all you do is breathe deeply and remind yourself you’re doing your best, that’s enough.

Sending super big hugs!

the Compassionate Librarian

How Helping Others Can Fill Your Cup

When Helping Others is Part of Your Self-Care

For some of us, the act of helping others—whether it’s assisting a patron, checking in on a friend, or simply offering kindness to a stranger—fills our emotional well. We find strength and healing in connection, and giving our time or energy to support others makes us feel good. But how do we balance this when life gets overwhelming?

Why Helping Others Feels So Good

There’s a reason helping others is powerful. Studies show it releases endorphins, reduces stress, and increases feelings of connection. For those of us in service professions—like librarians—it can be both a calling and a coping mechanism. When we help, we feel more grounded, useful, and in tune with our community.

I’ve experienced firsthand that some of my most meaningful moments have come from lending a hand to someone in need, whether it was offering support to a patron experiencing homelessness, listening to a colleague who just needed to vent, or surprising a friend with a small act of kindness. Every time I help someone, I walk away feeling a little lighter and more connected to something bigger than myself.

Balance is Key

For many people, helping others gives you a happy boost, which also supports an overall feeling of well-being. With that in mind, it can sometimes be easy to lose sight of your own needs. If your self-care only involves giving to others, you might eventually feel drained or resentful. I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) that it’s okay to set boundaries and say no when you need to recharge.

Here are a few tips I’ve found to Be helpful:

1. Set boundaries: Be honest with yourself about how much you can give without depleting your own energy.
2. Find joy in small acts: Not every act of kindness needs to be big. Sometimes holding the door for someone or giving a compliment is enough.
3. Practice reciprocal care: Surround yourself with people who can also support you when you need it.
4. Check in with yourself: Ask, “Am I helping because it feels good or because I feel I have to?”

Final Thoughts

If you are like me and helping others is part of your self-care, you should embrace it! Just remember that it’s okay to prioritize your own needs, too. Self-care doesn’t mean you have to stop being compassionate; it means making sure you have the energy to keep giving in meaningful, healthy ways.

Happy Self-Care,

the Compassionate Librarian

Winter Weather Can be Dangerous for Those Without Shelter

Winter can be a difficult season, but for anyone experiencing homelessness, it can be life-threatening. Here in California, we may not get snow, but cold rain and dropping temperatures still pose serious risks for the unhoused community. Across the country, the weather becomes even harsher—bitter winds, freezing temperatures, and heavy snowfall create dangerous conditions for anyone living outdoors.

Just last week, I witnessed firsthand how quickly cold weather can take a toll. An unhoused man was walking outside the library in the rain, looking exhausted. He eventually laid down on the walkway leading up to the front door. At first, I thought he might just be resting. But then he started jerking upright suddenly and lying back down again. It was clear something was wrong.

I called 911, and EMTs arrived shortly after to assist him. It was a sobering reminder of how dangerous winter weather can be and how important it is for library staff to recognize when someone might need help. The EMTs told me that it was a good thing that I had called them and explained that the man was suffering from hypothermia, a dangerous drop in body temperature caused by prolonged exposure to cold and wet conditions, which lead to his confusion, muscle weakness, and he could have even gone unconscious if he was left untreated.

The Danger of Cold Weather for Unhoused Individuals

Exposure to the elements can quickly lead to serious health issues, including:

• Hypothermia: When body temperature drops too low, causing confusion, unconsciousness, and even death if untreated.
• Frostbite: Especially in colder climates, frostbite can damage skin and tissue in minutes.
• Respiratory Illnesses: Living outside in cold, wet weather can lead to severe illnesses like pneumonia.

How to Respond if an Unhoused Person Needs Medical Help

As library staff, you might be the first to notice when someone needs medical attention. Here’s what you can do:

1️⃣ Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

• Observe from a safe distance. If the person appears unconscious, confused, or unresponsive, call 911 immediately.

2️⃣ Call for Emergency Help

• Be clear and detailed with the dispatcher: describe what’s happening, your location, and any visible symptoms.

3️⃣ Offer Assistance, If Possible

• If the person is alert and able to speak, offer them a blanket or direct them to a nearby shelter or warming center.

4️⃣ Know Your Local Resources

• Have a list of shelters, warming centers, and outreach services. Sometimes, just offering information can help someone find warmth and safety.

Take A Compassionate Approach

It’s not always easy to know what to do, but it’s always okay to err on the side of caution. Calling 911 can be a lifesaving decision. And while it’s impossible to solve the larger crisis of homelessness on your own, responding with compassion and kindness makes an immediate difference.

Remember, our kindness is really important when it comes to helping unhoused patrons. It’s about being part of the community—helping where you can, and sometimes just being a steady, caring presence when someone needs it most.

Stay warm, stay safe, and stay compassionate. ❤️

Helping Unhoused Patrons in the Library: Compassion in Extreme Weather

Many unhoused community members face dangerous conditions in extreme weather. In freezing temperatures in the winter and in scorching heat in the summer make survival into an even greater challenge. Without stable shelter, individuals experiencing homelessness are at high risk for frostbite, heat exhaustion, dehydration, and other life-threatening conditions. 

Libraries often serve as one of the few safe havens, offering warmth in the winter, air-conditioned relief in the summer, and year-round access to information and resources.

In winter as temperatures drop and the cold settles in, life becomes even more challenging for unhoused community members. Freezing nights, limited shelter space, and the daily struggle for warmth and safety make this time of year especially difficult. It is really important for unhoused community  members to know that libraries are welcoming spaces and can play a vital role in providing them with warmth, connection, resources, hope and dignity.

For many unhoused individuals, the library serves as a refuge from the harsh elements. It’s a place where they can warm up, rest for a while, and access essential information that could help improve their situation. But beyond simply being a warm space, libraries have the power to connect patrons with life-saving resources.

With winter is upon us, here are some ways libraries can support unhoused patrons during cold weather months:

1. Know Your Local Resources

Every community has different services available, and being familiar with them can make all the difference. Make a list of:
✅ Nearby warming centers and emergency shelters
✅ Local outreach organizations that provide food, clothing, and health services
✅ Crisis hotlines, social workers, and mental health support services

Having a printable resource guide at the front desk or a dedicated info board with up-to-date service listings can be a lifesaver for patrons who may not know where to turn.

2. Offer Small Comforts When Possible

Even small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Some libraries provide:
🧣 Donation bins with warm gloves, scarves, or socks
🍵 Hot beverage stations (if policies allow) to help patrons stay warm
📚 Community partnerships that provide hygiene kits, hand warmers, or blankets

While libraries may not always have the means to provide direct aid, they can partner with local nonprofits or encourage Friends of the Library groups to help collect and distribute donations.

3. Provide Information Without Judgment

Many unhoused patrons have been turned away from other places or treated with hostility. Simply offering information in a respectful, nonjudgmental way can create a sense of dignity and trust. Instead of saying:
"You can’t stay here all day."
Try:
"It’s getting really cold out and we'll be closing in a few hours. Here’s a list of places where you can warm up or get assistance if you need it."

A compassionate approach can make all the difference in how someone receives help.

4. Encourage Staff Awareness & Empathy

Libraries face a difficult balance—providing support while also enforcing library policies. It’s important to train staff on:
✔ Trauma-informed approaches to interactions with unhoused patrons
✔ De-escalation techniques for handling difficult situations
✔ Setting compassionate boundaries that allow unhoused patrons to feel welcome while keeping the library safe for all

Workshops or staff discussions on serving vulnerable populations can provide guidance on how to help without feeling overwhelmed.

5. Advocate for Long-Term Solutions

Libraries alone can’t solve homelessness, but they can be part of the solution. Advocating for funding, grants, and policies that improve access to social services, mental health support, and affordable housing can make a lasting impact. Some libraries have even partnered with social workers or community liaisons to assist patrons in need.

The Power of Kindness in Hard Times

Winter can an especially harsh season for those without a home, but a warm library, a kind word, and a helpful resource can provide more comfort than we realize. 

What are some ways your library supports unhoused patrons during extreme weather? Let’s share ideas and keep the conversation going. 💙

With care,
the Compassionate Librarian