Conference on Academic Library Management

In 2020, the CDC estimated about 1 in 4 Americans live with a disability. However, there’s little research on the retention and promotion of library workers with disabilities. One recent work challenges conventional notions of equitable workplace practices. Schomberg and Highby (2020) note in Beyond Accommodation: Creating and Inclusive Workplace for Disabled Library Workers, “[R]ecent discussions about resiliency in library work … [do] not include or value the perspectives of disabled or other marginaliz"&"ed people. Instead, resilience mandates the responsibility of solving structural inequities on the individuals experiencing them, which has the result of creating further marginalization” (35).

In this interactive session, an early career librarian and supervisor pursue disability justice through the lens of critical disability studies and critical leadership studies. Specifically, they’ll explore these issues, share ideas, and describe their experiences determining, requesting, and implementing ADA accommodations. This presentation offers library workers with and without disabilities a forum to explore opportunities and potential barriers to entering, advancing, and thriving in academic librarianship. After 30 minutes of guided inquiry into the presenters’ lived experiences and the emerging research, participants will be invited to create a vision for an accessible workplace.

This session will not be recorded, but public versions of presentation slides and discussion responses contributed via Jamboard will be available. This session concludes with participants drafting a self-care plan that emphasizes reflection on the elements each individual may seek in order to thrive by enjoying fulfilling work interactions and understanding, clarifying, and expressing personal and professional boundaries.