jfconsultI recently had the opportunity to present two sessions at the Louisiana Library Association (LLA) Conference—an experience that led to meaningful conversations with colleagues across the profession about leadership, collaboration, and workplace culture in libraries.
My breakout session, “Breaking Down Silos: Leading with Collaboration,” explored how organizational silos can develop within institutions and how leadership behaviors influence communication, alignment, and collaboration across teams. Drawing from both professional experience and my MBA research, the session examined patterns that can create barriers between departments and offered practical strategies for strengthening collaboration within organizations.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the session was the discussion that followed. Participants from a variety of roles—including library directors, board members, and staff—shared how familiar these challenges felt within their own organizations. Those conversations reinforced how important it is to openly discuss leadership dynamics and communication patterns that shape our workplaces.
In addition to the breakout session, I also presented a poster session titled “Beyond Burnout: Practical Mindfulness Tools for Library Staff.” This poster focused on simple practices that library staff can use during the workday to pause, refocus, and manage stress during demanding periods of service.
The poster explored:
- the impact of workplace stress on library staff
- practical mindfulness techniques that can be used during the workday
- simple reset practices that take only a few minutes
- the connection between staff well-being and healthy organizational culture
It was encouraging to connect with colleagues who are thinking intentionally about how staff well-being supports both effective service and positive workplace environments.
Professional conferences provide valuable opportunities not only to share ideas but also to learn from the experiences of others across the field. The conversations that emerged from both sessions served as a reminder that many libraries are navigating similar questions about leadership, communication, and organizational culture.
I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to these discussions and look forward to continuing the conversation about leadership and collaboration within libraries.
