New Report: Emotional Resilience in Libraries: Tools for the Modern Workplace (Emotions Matter Study – Report 2)

New Report: Emotional Resilience in Libraries: Tools for the Modern Workplace (Emotions Matter Study – Report 2)

“ARMS is excited to share Report 2 from the Emotions Matter Study entitled, Emotional Resilience in Libraries: Tools for the Modern Workplace.

As library work increasingly sits “in-between” roles—information service, community caregiving, and crisis/boundary management—staff are required to engage in emotional labour with greater intensity, and shift across emotional registers quickly. Following interest from the Canadian Urban Libraries Council (CULC), Emotions Matter has grown into a broader library sector partnership led by the Hamilton and Burlington Public Libraries, McMaster’s Communtiy Research Platform (CRP), and ARMS. 

The report presents research findings from the second phase of the study. Drawing on survey findings from 17 participating library systems across Canada, the report documents how emotional labour shows up in modern public library work—including workplace “display rules” (expectations to express positive emotions and suppress negative emotions) and common emotion regulation strategies such as deep acting, surface acting, and genuine emotional expression.

Alongside these findings, the report outlines recommendations and next steps focused on strengthening emotional resilience through shared language, practical skill-building, peer/supervisory support, and organizational policy and practice.

READ THE REPORT HERE!

Acknowledgements

This report was produced for the 17 participating library systems and the broader public library sector in Canada, with support from ARMS and the McMaster Community Research Platform (CRP). Project leadership included Dr. Diana Singh (Principal Investigator and Executive Director, ARMS), Leora Sas van der Linden (Program Manager, Community Research Platform, CRP), Lita Barrie (C.E.O. & Chief Librarian of the Burlington Public Library), Paul Takala (C.E.O. & Chief Librarian of the Hamilton Public Library), and Dr. Nicole Dalmer (Associate Professor, Department of Health, Aging, and Society).

The report was authored by Dr. Diana Singh, Nosaiba Fayyaz, Emma Parker, and Esther Rowan, with contributions from Dr. Ruth Repchuck, Ryan Miller, the project Steering Committee, and guidance from the project Advisory Board, chaired by Lita Barrie.

We also thank Burlington Public Library and Hamilton Public Library, for their leadership and support in facilitating data collection.”