Comments on: Our Librarian Bodies. Our Librarian Selves.

By: Sylvia

Sylvia — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:49:05 +0000

Mens sana in corpore sano (A healthy mind in a healthy body) – this ancient Latin proverb also shows how important is keeping our body fit. This being even more important for people who do their daily work sitting in front of the computer; results that having opportunity of wellness activities is very important to librarians even at their workplace. In my opinion having ergonomic work stations is – elementary not only for librarian, but for every employee in order to have their work done well. Congrats for making publicity for this theme.

By: Derik Badman

Derik Badman — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:46:39 +0000

I’m late in commenting, but:

1) I’d stress the ergonomic work stations again. I’d suspect a lot of library furniture has not been optimized for computer use, either through time, money, or lack of interest/care. The more time I spend at my computer on a desk build for doing paper work, the more I become concerned about carpal tunnel and back/neck issues. I can’t be the only one,

2) Work-based social events can be a good mental health aid. A chance to socialize informally with colleageues can not only allow for venting but also builds social bonds that can make work less isolating (and improve interoffice/library/department service by increasing knowledge of each other’s people/issues/etc). I recommend happy hours, but your taste may vary.

By: Emily Ford

Emily Ford — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:09:31 +0000

The initiatives that you, Lucy and Jenny are mentioning are good examples of what I mean.

Where I work they have a bike to work program. For each day that I bike to work I get a punch on a card. After 30 punches, I get an incentive. This incentive is: credit toward my pre-tax dollars bus pass, parking permit, or if I don’t have either of those, a small monetary incentive. It’s great for people like me who: a) mainly commute by bike and b) use public transportation a lot, and c) those who just need a something little extra to get them using alternative transportation.

By: Emily Ford

Emily Ford — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:06:56 +0000

to reply to Sara’s comment:

Sara Piasecki:
Is it up to our workplaces to ensure our wellness? Or is it up to us as individuals? If my coworkers like chocolate, but I am a chocoholic, must they put away their candy for my sake? Do we have lives outside of libraries? If so, who ensures our wellness there? Or is that where wellness begins? Just tossing out thoughts here…

I would respond yes and no. I think workplaces should have a stake in the wellness of their employees, but it is definitely not wholly an employer’s responsibility for the entirety of an individuals wellness choices and habits. I think you are right, at least what I think you are alluding to, that wellness does begin in personal lives outside of work, but I think that some semblance of wellness and health need to be translated into the workplace. This could even be as simple as providing ergonomic work stations, valuing breaks for our eyes and brains after sitting in front of a computer for too long, etc. It doesn’t all have to center around the chocolate bowl.

By: librarian lucy

librarian lucy — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:33:18 +0000

A part of the organisational culture is how we deal with customers too – I’ve heard of managers who force staff to stay on the phone with creepy people (i.e. guys ringing to get you to read out the name of sexuality titles) or constantly deal with creepy/offensive customers. Luckily enough my library is in the same building as the gym and pool and the council does a weight watchers thing.

The bit that helps the most with wellness is the expectation that if we’re sick we stay home. If we’re a bit iffy (headachy/morning sickness/just a bit off colour) we can stay in the back room and work from there wherever possible. if a customer is offensive, abusive or creepy, it is okay to ask another staff member to either assist or take over, or refuse to serve them in some cases. Oh, and we take our mandated breaks and lunch hours, not cut them short.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:23:42 +0000

Penn College has teamed up with Blue Cross of Northeastern PA to start a wellness program across campus. Stage 1 was to get bloodwork, bmi, ht, wt, measurements. Also, if you did this and filled out a survey, you were granted a $100 gift card at Target.
Stage 2 is a walking program. All participants were issued a pedometer and walking journal for six weeks. At the end of the 6 weeks, a drawing will be held for another prize. Meanwhile, BC representatives contacted staff to set their own goals. Mine is weight loss. I am working with a nutritionist to lose 20 lbs in 6 months. She has counseled me on many things and continues to keep in touch. It is a great plan and it is free through our College’s plan.

By: Sara Piasecki

Sara Piasecki — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:07:05 +0000

Is it up to our workplaces to ensure our wellness? Or is it up to us as individuals? If my coworkers like chocolate, but I am a chocoholic, must they put away their candy for my sake? Do we have lives outside of libraries? If so, who ensures our wellness there? Or is that where wellness begins? Just tossing out thoughts here…

By: The Red Librarian

The Red Librarian — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:34:39 +0000

In gulag library we have mandatory calisthenics. Dogs bite at our heels if we do not do pushup. Wellness committee say my friend not good and they throw him in snow naked. Bears eat him. We well though, committee say we must.

By: H. Krishna

H. Krishna — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:22:31 +0000

Good post. My MLS program had a whole class on yoga and libraries called “Downward-facing Dewey.” Maybe libraries could add some gyms to the cyber cafes, thus energizing both the mind, the body, and the infoshpere.

By: r

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:55:18 +0000

Thanks, Emily, for the admission of chocolate-bar guilt. :-)

It seems that almost any library should be able to draw on resources/experts from the wider community to host small staff-development events centered on wellness. An academic library could have someone from the campus health center do a workshop on stress reduction; a public library could have a local yoga instructor come in for a short session.