About the Book

A Manager’s Guide to Creating a Flourishing Workplace: Strategies for Fostering Wellness in Libraries will be edited by Bobbi L. Newman and published by ALA Editions.

This book is a comprehensive guide that offers practical strategies and insights for library managers to foster holistic wellness among their staff. This book goes beyond traditional wellness approaches and explores various dimensions of well-being, including mental, emotional, social, and occupational health. It provides evidence-based strategies and practical tools to help library managers create a supportive and empowering work culture that enhances the overall well-being of their staff.

From promoting work-life balance and addressing workplace challenges to fostering positive relationships and promoting diversity and inclusion, this book offers actionable recommendations for creating a healthy and positive work environment in libraries. It emphasizes the importance of addressing the physical, psychological, and social aspects of the workplace.

In addition to benefiting library staff, the strategies outlined in this book also highlight how improving wellness can positively impact patron services. Healthy and engaged staff are more likely to provide high-quality customer service, be motivated to develop innovative programming, and have increased job satisfaction, ultimately leading to better patron experiences.

Submission Guidelines

Authors should submit chapter proposals demonstrating a solid commitment to the physical and/or mental well-being of librarians and library staff. We encourage submissions from authors with diverse backgrounds and experiences, including those who are first-time writers or from underrepresented groups in librarianship.

Chapters should provide practical guidance for readers, including actionable steps, implementable ideas, and practical strategies to inspire change. Authors should focus on how readers can make changes rather than simply recounting their own experiences. Proposals should focus on issues and practices that make libraries unique from many other workplaces. This will help set this book apart from general workplace wellness titles available.

Deadline for chapter proposals is July 1, 2023. See the full timeline below.

Final chapters will be about 15-20 pages, or about 4,000 – 5,500 words

What NOT to include

• Weight or weight loss programs
• Programs that measure, monitor, or track movement

How to submit

Chapter proposals should include a description, outline, and objectives (please do not exceed 700 words), and brief author bio(s).

Submit proposals using this form.

Timeline

Important Dates and Anticipated Timeline (subject to change)

• Call for Proposals May 2023
• Proposals Due July 1, 2023
• Notification of Acceptance August 1, 2023
• First drafts due November 1, 2024
• Editorial revisions complete January 1, 2024
• Author revisions due March 1, 2024
• Final draft to ALA July 1, 2024
• Anticipated publication Fall of 2024

This list of potential topics and chapters is only a suggestion. Please use it as a starting point.

• The Impact of Wellness on Library Staff Performance
• Creating a Healthy Physical Work Environment
• Workplace Policies and Practices for Wellness
• Strategies for Managing Emotional and Invisible Labor
• Promoting Mental and Emotional Health
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Wellness
• Accessibility and Workplace Wellness
• The Importance of Nature for Staff Wellness
• Nurturing Social Connections and Collaboration
• Empowering Staff to Make Healthy Choices
• Implementing and Sustaining Workplace Wellness Programs
• Advocacy for Staff Wellness

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and other relevant topics related to staff wellness, burnout, compassion fatigue, and staff wellness in libraries are also welcome. The final selection of topics will be based on the chapter proposals received and the focus of the book.