Southern Library Support Staff Conference 2026

In the demanding environment of Access Services, we can often “lose the forest for the trees” by letting daily operational demands overshadow core principles that ensure departmental success. This session explores a strategic approach to leadership that fosters a productive and healthy work environment by mentoring and supporting library staff to model departmental expectations and core principles for student employees at an academic library. This methodology emphasizes the importance of adapting leadership styles to the unique needs of individual team members while maintaining a consistent standard of accountability at all levels. 


Using three real-world examples, this presentation will illustrate how a healthy work environment is maintained through intentional collaboration, self-reflection, and compassionate conflict resolution. The presentation will also examine how the performance, morale, and retention of student employees serves as a direct reflection of the culture and collaborative spirit established by library leadership and staff. 

The presentation will be divided into three parts: an introduction, a description of the three real-world examples from the speaker's library and how they serve a thriving work environment, and a guided self-reflection for attendees to apply some of the methods discussed to meet needs and challenges at their home institutions.