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Positive and healthy work environments enhance job satisfaction and workplace engagement and play a significant role in the healthy functioning of library organizations. Higher levels of workplace satisfaction and engagement also contribute to increased productivity, creativity, and performance, and by extension improved services and organizational culture. But how do we define, cultivate, and sustain positive and healthy work environments, particularly in libraries, which are often under-resourced, unappreciated or devalued, or even toxic?
Building and Sustaining Positive and Healthy Work Environments examines the opportunities, challenges, and successes of fostering and nurturing workplace environments that enhance job satisfaction, engagement, and success.
Kim Duckett is the Head of Collections and Research Engagement at the North Carolina State University Libraries, USA, where she leads a dynamic team focused on collection strategy and management, disciplinary instruction, and immersive pedagogy in the Libraries' high-tech visualization spaces. In 2025 Kim became a certified professional coach, and she enjoys facilitation and leading professional workshops.
Nancy Falciani has more than 20 years of experience working in academic libraries. Nancy is currently the Director of the McGraw-Page Library at Randolph-Macon College (RMC) and President of the Virginia Library Association, USA. Her current research examines the organizational environment in academic libraries, how that environment influences creativity and productivity among library employees, and what role library leaders play in cultivating a supportive, inclusive, and innovative work culture.
David H. Ketchum has more than 25 years of academic library experience. David is currently the Director of Resource Access, Discovery, and Delivery at the University of Oregon Libraries, USA, and President of the Northwest Interlibrary Loan and Resource Sharing Conference Board of Directors. David’s professional interests include operational management, library public service, employee development, and strategic planning.
Introduction; Nancy Falciani and Kim Duckett
Chapter 1. Leading Through Consensus; Anne C. Osterman and Heather B. Garritty
Chapter 2. Getting Serious About Staff Satisfaction and Culture Change: Post-COVID 19 Approaches to Improving Morale and Reducing Turnover; Carolyn Jensen, Collin Fitzsimmons, and Anna Li
Chapter 3. Iterative and Positive Feedback Cycles Through After-Action Reviews; Joanna DiPasquale
Chapter 4. Breaking Down Barriers: Communication as the Cornerstone of Workplace Engagement; Jean Cardinale and L Slingluff
Chapter 5. “Leading Into Sustainability”: Fostering Organizational Sustainability Through Individual Job Scoping; Laura Wiegand McBrayer, Stephanie Crowe, Meghan Wanucha Smith, and Liz Steyer
Chapter 6. Equitable and Sustainable Librarianship Through the Teams Model; Chandler Christoffel and Sara E. Wright
Chapter 7. The Impact of Implementing Flexible/Hybrid Work Schedules at Libraries; Meghan Hupe
Chapter 8. Crafting Safe Spaces: A Framework for Supporting Women Library Leaders who are Caretakers; Natalie Dickinson Kulick and Jolyn Dahlvig
Chapter 9. Beyond Accommodation: A Framework for Neuro-Affirming Leadership; Amy Andres
Chapter 10. Creating Neuroinclusive Structures and Methods for Library Staff; Shannon Pritting, Lauren Lestremau Allen, and Sine Rofosky
Chapter 11. Following the Leader: Evolving Leadership in Health Science Libraries; Shawn Steidinger, Christy Jarvis, Nena Schvaneveldt, and Catherine Soehner
Chapter 12. Building a Leadership Development Program; Ariel Turner