Course Discussion Prompts | Trauma in the Library

Trauma-Informed Care and the Library Profession Discussion Prompts:

Weekly Self-Care Prompts:

Week 1: Affirmations and Self-Love

One key question we asked library staff when interviewing them about their experiences of trauma was: What was helpful for you following this event? We got a wide range of answers, with library staff citing coworkers, friends, family, self-care practices, community, personal therapy, exercise, and more. This “InfoLate iHelp” will provide a weekly opportunity for us all to experiment with these “helps” and take care of ourselves during this course.

Prompt: Recite these affirmations to yourself, either while looking in a mirror or while closing your eyes. These affirmations are drawn from other front-line and care professions including nursing and teaching affirmation lists.

Reflection: Which of these stood out and why? How did it feel to recite these? Do any of these feel particularly relevant to library positions? What insecurities or traumas might these affirmations be targeting?

I care for myself.

I take a break when I need one.

I make a difference in the world.

I am courageous.

My happiness is important.

I deserve time for myself.

What I can do, I will do.

I am allowed to take care of my needs too. I am as important as the people I care for.

I need to give myself credit for what I do. It takes a very strong person to do what I do and I should be proud of myself.

This job is what I do, and I do it well, but it does not define me.

I can do anything, but I can’t do everything.

I am loved.

OR Prompt 2: Write down 10 compliments about yourself. For example “I am a good listener”. Reflection: How did it feel to give yourself compliments? How can you incorporate these reminders of your strengths into your daily life?

Week 2: Community

Prompt: We heard from library staff how grateful they are for the community groups, social service providers, and volunteers that partner with the libraries. This week, we would love to hear about any community groups or people that have been especially noteworthy or meaningful in your work in libraries. If you haven’t worked in libraries, feel free to reflect on other times that community groups or people from the community have contributed to work you do or supported you. What is it that makes collaborations sustainable, mutually beneficial, and positive? This is a space to share gratitude’s!

Week 3: Movement

Prompt: This week’s Info Latte focuses on movement as a form of care and recovery. If you already have yoga videos that you particularly like, feel free to use those, but here is an 18-minute Chair Yoga videoLinks to an external site. for those that want to try something new! This one is especially relevant for those of us working at desks all day, and many of the exercises in this video could be used for stretching throughout the workday.

Reflection: If this was new for you, how did it feel to set aside time for this? Check in with your body- do you feel different after? Is this something you could see as being helpful to do regularly? What other ways could movement and body care be better prioritized in the library space? (ie. Ergonomic devices, disability accommodations, etc.)

Week 4: Art

A key question we asked library staff when interviewing them about their experiences of trauma was: What was helpful for you following this event? We got a wide range of answers, with library staff citing coworkers, friends, family, self-care practices, community, personal therapy, exercise, and more.

Reflection: This week’s Infolate “iHelp” focuses on art as a form of healing. Please spend 30 minutes engaging in an art form of your choice (anything goes! draw, collage, knit, crochet, dance, play music, etc). Then reflect upon and discuss whether art–tell us what kind of art(s)–is something that you incorporate into your daily or weekly practices? If this was new for you, how did it feel to set aside time for art? Check in with your body- do you feel different after? Is this something you could see as being helpful to do regularly?

Week 5: Background

Prompt: Many library staff cited their background and experiences as useful tools to call upon during and following traumatic events. Some cited their cultural or community backgrounds as informative to the experiences, while others cited previous work experiences and job skills (social worker, EMT, etc.) as useful in such situations.

Reflection: What backgrounds, skills, or identities bring you confidence, skills or perspectives in your library positions? How have your past experiences empowered you in your library positions? Or if you have not worked in a library, what do you predict to be useful? Is there a pressure or expectation that comes with these backgrounds? Which aspects of these background do you think could be incorporated into library training?

Week 6: Solidarity

Prompt: Many library staff shared that co-workers, affiliate groups, and library networks were helpful in processing experiences in the library workplace. They cited the solidarity and community as encouraging and a good reminder that they are not alone in their experiences. This week, we would like you to try joining a new library network group (FB group, newsletter, list serv, etc). If you already have certain groups you are in, please share below!

Reflection: What are your hopes for this space or community? What are your initial reactions to the community you joined? Were you surprised by any conversations or resources you came across? How has community or library staff solidarity helped you in the past?

Some places to start:

Find an affiliate group and subscribe to their newsletter or follow their FB. Some great ones are the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, the ALA Black Caucus, Reforma, the Asian Pacific American Library Association…there are so many, please comment if there are groups you are already in that you would like to share.

ALA Think Tank on FB has a lot of resources and the option to post anonymously about questions or experiences in the library.

Join local or state library chapters of the ALA to connect with nearby librarians and library staff!

Week 7: Outside

Prompt: This week, take some time to be outside. This can be sitting outside in a garden or park, or walking. Please share pictures of the beauty you see, even if it’s icy and winter-y out!

Reflection: If this was new for you, how did it feel to set aside time for this? Check in with your body- do you feel different after? Is this something you could see as being helpful to do regularly? How do you make wintertime outside more bearable? Thermos of tea? Pocket warmers? Or is it your favorite time of year to be outside?

Week 8: Final Reflections

Reflection: We have spent the past quarter prompting you with activities to help take care of yourself. Now we want to hear what practices in your daily or weekly routines are most helpful. What helps you feel calm, safe, motivated, at peace, or energized? Feel free to provide links or pictures!