Academic Library Services to Graduate Students Interest Group

FREE Online Presentation: Overly Critical or Hostile - Understanding Bullying and Negative Acts in the Academic Library Environment and Solutions to Improve the Work Environment

Presenters: Rachel Keiko Stark, California State University, Sacramento & Maggie Albro, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Monday, April 21, 2025 1pm-2pm CT
Register here: https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AmGxFrmRRqy1rXOF4-nr3A
Sponsored by the ACRL ULS Professional Development Committee

With workplace bullying on the rise nationwide, it's no surprise that bullying and negative acts have made their way into academic library workplaces. This session will apply a critical lens to academic librarianship, while building a set of shared definitions, analyzing contributory factors of academic libraries specifically relating to bullying, and navigating the differences between everyday rudeness and hostility and bullying. This session will then go on to explain how we have the power to shift workplace norms away from accepting uncivil behavior and will provide an overview of a set of online, self paced, free, learning modules individuals and organizations can use to build skills towards shifting workplace dynamics. The online modules were developed by the presenters based on successful anti-bullying measures implemented by nurses to reduce negative acts and bullying in the workplace. These modules are designed to help librarians understand some of the root causes of workplace bullying and incivility, and to give them workable tools and skills they can implement in their own workplace. The materials and online self paced modules will be provided to attendees and attendees can complete the online modules on their own, and can also share the online tools with their institutions.

Presenter Bios:

Rachel Keiko Stark, California State University, Sacramento

Rachel Keiko Stark, MS, AHIP, is the Health Sciences Librarian for Sacramento State University. She has previously worked as a library manager and as a clinical medical librarian in a large hospital system, and as a librarian in public, academic, and pharmacy libraries. She holds a MS from Drexel University and a BA from Willamette University. Rachel is an ALA Spectrum Scholar (2010-2011) and a MLA Rising Star (2017-2018). In her non-work time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her large fuzzy dogs, reading, playing video and board games, and building Lego sets. 

Maggie Albro, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Maggie Albro, MLIS, is the Agriculture & Natural Resources Librarian and Interim Assistant Head of the Libraries' Health, Wellness, & Professional Programs Unit for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She has previously worked as a Science/STEM Librarian at both a small teaching college and a large academic research library. She holds a MLIS from the University of South Carolina and a BS from Clemson University. When she's not working, Maggie enjoys knitting, reading, playing board games, and making a disaster in her kitchen as she expands her practice as an amateur home cheesemaker, pickler of produce, and gluten-free baker. 

This free presentation is sponsored by the ACRL University Libraries Section Professional Development Committee. It will take place on Monday, April 21, 2025 1pm-2pm CT. CST via Zoom. Register here: https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AmGxFrmRRqy1rXOF4-nr3A

If you can't make this session but wish to view a recording later, please register so that you'll receive an email that includes a link to the video of the presentation.

Please direct questions and concerns to Colleen Quinn (colleen.quinn@umgc.edu) and Jane Hammons (hammons.73@osu.edu) Co-Chairs of the ACRL ULS Professional Development Committee. A full list of the committee's past programs is available on the ULS website.