On May 13, 2025, over 28 CLEL members from around the country came together to talk about managing program burnout (and burnout overall). As one of the most well-attended CLEL Meetups in recent memory, it is clear that this subject is top of mind for many people.
After introductions, the conversation shifted to investigate where and how burnout tends to show up. For many attendees, programming is a place where burnout happens fairly often. Whether people are feeling physical ailments or simply dreading the process of bringing a program to fruition, there were a plethora of examples shared that were echoed by head nods around the Zoom room.
The post-COVID landscape has been particularly challenging for librarians, especially in the wake of budget cuts, adjusted (and often increased) expectations at work, and overall overwhelm.
Some of the things causing burnout for those in attendance included:
- Bearing more responsibility for programming
- Being asked to do programming that is not in alignment with a person’s values/interests
- Conflict with coworkers/management
- Programming being taken away from librarians in some places
- Extra-curricular/life events affecting people in addition to work things
- Not having enough staff
- PIC (person-in-charge) responsibilities
- Not having support or backup from leadership
- Not having enough time
- Unexpected program attendance/changes during the day
- Hiring freezes
- Adjusting to new management
- Having to frequently advocate for your job/work
Some of the effects of this burnout for those in attendance were:
- Feeling of being stuck
- Relief when a program has to be cancelled
- Going through the paces of a program instead of being excited about doing it
- Dreading going to work
- Not realizing you’re in burnout until you’re actually in it
- Getting grumpy
- Intense stomach aches from overstimulation
- Feeling like having one more thing added to your plate will lead to a breakdown
- Physical ailments/stress
From the intensity and duration of this initial conversation, it is clear that burnout is not only prevalent in librarians across the country, but it is also dramatically affecting the work librarians are able to accomplish in their roles.
So, because this issue of burnout is affecting so many people, the direction of the conversation shifted to discuss the ways in which attendees have been managing their burnout. These suggestions may help others try to improve their individual circumstances, as well.
Some of the suggestions were:
- Low effort programming had to be a staple
- Take time for yourself and do things you love in your free time
- Protect ideas from being crushed repeatedly; build an emotional wall
- Take a lighter season/a break from a certain repeated program
- Let go of expectations
- “Slow librarianship”
- Remember that numbers aren’t the most important thing
- Start saying “no” more: “my plate is currently full, but thank you for thinking of me”
- Therapy
- Take breaks
- Make “kits to go” with leftover programming materials
- Get out of the building on lunch/breaks
- Try to be more intentional about doing work only at work
- Set up an accountability buddy to remind each other to leave on time and take breaks
- Delegating, when possible, to get things off your plate
- Take classes in interesting subjects
- Go on a micro-adventure every week (ex: eating at new restaurant, visiting a new park)
- Carve out adequate alone time
- Armchair travel
- Reframe any inability to delegate: am I giving my staff/coworkers the opportunity to show me what they can do/prove themselves?
- Utilize teen volunteers when possible
- Reframe thinking: assumptions, approach, responsibilities, etc.
- Lean on coworkers (and be someone your coworkers can lean on, as well)
- Lean into supportive leadership/mentors
- Remember: when you clock out of work, clock in for yourself!
With so many positive and uplifting ideas, there is some hope for alleviating the burnout happening in libraries nationally. Additionally, finding something to be excited about can also increase the joy one feels on a regular basis.
Some of the things our participants are excited about include:
- Birthday party this summer
- Attending professional conferences like ALA and CAL
- Adopting a service dog
- Going on vacation
- Going camping
- Summer Reading (less stressful once it’s finally in motion)
- Unique programming
- CSL podcast about summer burnout- Buzzsprout
- Pool season
Librarianship comes with all sorts of unexpected twists and turns, and each day brings something new. Having a supportive collection of peers, like those involved with CLEL, can be incredibly helpful in managing burnout and other work challenges. Knowing we’re all in similar positions gives us the opportunity to talk and share, offering encouragement and ideas to make things better for librarians everywhere.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this conversation. Additional resources are shared for you below, and we’re looking forward to seeing many of you at our future CLEL Meetups.
Resources:
