Kindness isn’t just for libraries. This book provides a roadmap if you’re passionate about transforming work- places to prioritise human connection, empathy, and wellbeing. The principles of kindness and wellbeing are universal, and though my background is in librar- ies, I believe these strategies can make a difference in any industry.
What benefits will you get
from this book? In writing The Kind Librarian, I aim to show you that kindness isn’t a luxury or a ‘soft’ skill; it’s an essential ingredient for thriving workplaces. Whether devel- oping kind communication strategies or implementing flexible working arrange- ments, you’ll find actionable steps to create a more harmonious and supportive work environment.
I’ve included exercises, reflection points, and real-life case studies in each chapter to help you take these ideas off the page and into your daily work. I’m incredibly grateful to those who have contributed their stories and expertise, especially those who con- tributed Vignettes. Their insights show how kindness in action can lead to real, meaningful change. It doesn’t just help you transform your
workplace – it also empowers you to grow as a person. You’ll learn to incorporate kindness into your self-care and leader- ship practices through the exercises and reflections. I want you to finish this book feeling empowered to create kinder work- places and lead kinder lives.
How to get the most out of this book I didn’t write this book for passive consump- tion. This is an action guide. Here’s how I hope you’ll approach The Kind Librarian:
l Reflect Deeply on Your Work Culture: As you read, take time to assess your workplace honestly. Are kindness and wellbeing truly valued, or are they just superficial gestures? I’ve provided exercis- es to help you think critically about these questions throughout the book. Use them! Reflect on your experiences and consider what changes would make your work en- vironment kinder, more supportive, and more compassionate;
l Engage Others in Your Kindness Revo- lution: This isn’t a journey to take alone. Use this book to start conversations with your colleagues, managers, and staff. The case studies and real-world examples gen- erously shared by contributors like Tim Leonard, Caterina Reed, and many others demonstrate the transformative power of
kindness in library settings. Share these stories with your team and brainstorm how to implement similar practices;
l Start Small, Dream Big: Kindness doesn’t have to start with sweeping changes. Maybe it begins with regular team check-ins or rethinking how you handle workloads. But always keep the bigger picture in mind. We’re aiming for a cultural shift, a redefinition of what it means to work together. I call this The Kindness Revolution because it requires a fundamental shift in how we view work and relationships;
l Adapt the Ideas to Your Unique Situ- ation: While this book is framed around libraries, the principles of kindness and wellbeing apply to all kinds of workplaces. If you’re not in the library world, think about how the ideas in this book could work in your own context. Kindness is universal, and my outlined strategies can improve any workplace.
What’s inside
Part one: Theoretical Foundations of Kindness in Libraries as Workplaces
In this section, I lay out the ground- work for why kindness in the workplace is not just a nice-to-have, but essential. We
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