IN DEPTH


A revolution – introducing the kind librarian


Embedding kindness and empathy in the workplace culture can deliver benefits­


­for­users,­staff­and­the­organisation­itself.­Helen Rimmer has set out to help libraries (and others) can achieve that in her new book The Kind Librarian: Cultivating a Culture of Kindness and Wellbeing in Libraries.


BY writing The Kind Librarian: Cultivating a Culture of Kindness and Wellbeing in Libraries, I’m inviting you to join me in a movement I call “The Kindness Revolution”. This is not just a book; it’s a call to action that inspires you to re-imagine your work- place – a library or any other setting – as a space where kindness, empathy, and well- being are embedded into your daily fabric. I’ve spent over 20 years in library leadership and seen the best and worst of workplaces. I’ve experienced the power of kindness to transform how we work and feel about our work. And I’ve also seen how toxic environments and perform- ative gestures of wellbeing can erode trust and undermine staff. This book is about doing more than being ‘nice’; it’s about creating workplaces where kindness and wellbeing are central, not just afterthoughts.


Who is this book for?


The simple answer to the question of who this book is for is: “Everyone who wants to thrive in our libraries and everyone who wants to be kind”. Whether you’re just starting in your library career or have decades of experience, this book is for you. Libraries are more than information repos- itories – they are places of community, support, and learning. By embracing kindness, we can make them places where users and staff thrive. From front-line staff to technical services, this book provides insights and practical strategies to make every library role a little kinder.


24 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL


Helen Rimmer (info@thekindbraveleader.co.uk) is owner of The Kind Brave Leader training company and is the former Head of Library and Archives Service at the University of Westminster.


You can shape your organisation’s culture if you’re in a leadership role. In these pages, I share strategies for leading with kindness and creating an environment where wellbeing isn’t a buzzword but a genuine priority. From conflict resolution to creating flexible working environments, The Kind Librarian offers the tools to lead with empathy and emotional intelligence.


Kindness starts with recruitment. This book explores how to embed empathy and fairness into hiring practices. With contributions from incredible professionals like Kirsten Elliott and Darren Flynn from Fair Library Jobs, you’ll find concrete steps to build more inclusive, diverse, and kind teams.


October-November 2024


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