ruthbrarian’s Twitter Archive—№ 12,686

Over lunch, I've been doing some reflecting on emotions/reactions around library systems-type work, both my own and others. I think the three primary ones I identify are shame, powerlessness, and anger. For me/other library folks, it's more likely to be shame/powerlessness.
Permalink On twitter.com ♻️ 1 Retweets ❤️ 22 Favorites 2022 Jul 11 Mood -7 🙁

…in reply to @ruthbrarian
From patrons, it's more likely to be powerlessness and anger.
Permalink On twitter.com ❤️ 5 Favorites 2022 Jul 11 Mood -3 🙁

…in reply to @ruthbrarian
On the library tech side: - shame because we can't make good on what we'd planned or promised in the timeline in which we'd planned/promised it. - shame because we're the face of something we can't control (powerlessness) due to vendors/other depts/etc.
Permalink On twitter.com ❤️ 9 Favorites 2022 Jul 11 Mood +1 🙂

…in reply to @ruthbrarian
On the library non-tech side: - powerlessness because one isn't fully in the loop and can't actually make the thing happen to solve the patron's problem and distress. - frustration/anger/shame at being put in this position.
On twitter.com ❤️ 7 Favorites 2022 Jul 11 Mood -10 🙁

…in reply to @ruthbrarian
From the patron's position: - powerlessness because they need to complete a task and can't figure out how. - frustration/anger because they used to be able to do X and now can't (even if the change means Y and Z are now working)
Permalink On twitter.com ❤️ 6 Favorites 2022 Jul 11 Mood -5 🙁

…in reply to @ruthbrarian
on the library tech part -- whether it's someone like me who's in a mediator role or someone who's working directly with the code, we all experience levels of powerlessness ranging from bugs to too many tasks/too few people to do them/etc.
Permalink On twitter.com ❤️ 6 Favorites 2022 Jul 11 Mood +2 🙂

…in reply to @ruthbrarian
much of this may not be something that's a person's fault, but it doesn't mean that we don't each feel some shame over it. We want to do well, but some issues like understaffing may go up to the university level and hiring freezes/salary policies.
Permalink On twitter.com ❤️ 4 Favorites 2022 Jul 11 Mood +1 🙂

…in reply to @ruthbrarian
It can affect one's morale, self-image, reputation, etc. I've done a lot of reflection on this as we've struggled with staffing levels in the last 15 months and I've worked to do my best with what we CAN do and not personalize failures and not curl in from shame.
Permalink On twitter.com ❤️ 4 Favorites 2022 Jul 11 Mood -3 🙁

…in reply to @ruthbrarian
I also know that I can pass on my own stress when working with others and that's not fair or kind, so it's another reason to be aware of root emotions behind stress or reactivity.
Permalink On twitter.com ❤️ 5 Favorites 2022 Jul 11 Mood -2 🙁