“Front line staff are seen by patrons as social workers. We want to help but aren’t able—we’re not social workers, experts in law, or health professionals. This causes immense stress, vicarious trauma. Users take out their stress on staff by being rude, threatening violence, and more.” -Interview Participant
“We’re having 200 incidents a year involving direct threats to staff. Managers spend much time in a security role. I’ve lost count how many times and ways I’ve been threatened in the last 7 years, when incidents really started to rise.” -Interview Participant
“My biggest challenge is I have a master’s degree in library and information studies. I do not have a master’s degree in how to cope with death in the workplace or how to deal with high levels of stress and trauma.” -Study Participant
The Trauma in the Library Project is an IMLS-funded project (IMLS: RE-246341-OLS-20) that uses trauma cognitive-behavioral theory and mixed methods to investigate the prevalence and extent of traumatic incidents and PTSD in library staff in the United States.
Through our research we answered the following research questions:
- Do staff experience PTSD symptoms due to workplace incidents?
- How prevalent are staff PTSD symptoms/mental health concerns?
- How can libraries support staff mental health more effectively?
This research developed baseline data about PTSD and library staff, a trauma-informed care approach for helping library staff, and curricula for MLIS programs and professional development.
Since the start of this project in 2020, the TIL team has conducted a nationwide online survey (1033 participants) and interviews (67 participants) and taught the University of Washington iSchool’s first-ever Trauma in the Library course in Winter 2024. To see upcoming trainings, conference presentations, and publications, please visit our Updates page.
If you have questions or would like to contact us about our research, please email us at fisher@uw.edu or pbrand@uw.edu
Quotes from Students and Workshop Participants
“I am just so thrilled to be part of this inaugural class. It feels meaningful and urgent, especially given the sobering statistics you presented from your study. I hope a class like this becomes a requirement in LIS programs around the country because clearly this is a pervasive issue that is only getting worse.” -LIS 598 Student
“In all my years of attending INCOL workshops (23 years, although, none during COVID related misses), even the ones I planned when I was chair, THIS is the best!! Thank you for your time and care in sharing your research. I am richer knowing what you gave us, including ways to move forward toward health, and I’m more curious and vigilant to look for trauma in our setting. Please know you made a difference and your work is appreciated.” -INCOL member
“Super helpful, important information relayed in such a professional, research-based, compassionate way. Please continue studying and advocating for this important work!” -WLA Fishbowl Participant