Presentation

Overcooked: Burnout, Self-Care and Resilience Building in Touch times

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Abstract

Since 2020, archivists have sought to balance work commitments with the need to remain healthy during a pandemic that has altered the ways we work and interact with one another. COVID-19 has brought rapid changes to how archivists operate, prompting us to adapt services and workflows to better meet the needs of remote users (and remotely working employees). Whether you are new to archives work or a seasoned archivist, lone arranger or head of a department or somewhere in between, you have likely experienced an increase in stress over the past two years while navigating a rapidly fluctuating, sometimes unfamiliar landscape. Some archives employees report experiencing burnout, health concerns, and/or rising levels of self-criticism and imposter syndrome. In this age of "quiet quitting," there is also actual quitting, with frequent turnover of positions, which may not be filled immediately. This creates increased pressure on employees to do more with less. Some archivists are struggling with balancing high workloads (often accompanied by high levels of commitment to their work) with an overall lack of resources and the need for self-care, time for planning and reflection, and good health practices. Acknowledging that each of us is struggling in our own way and deserving of wellness is a critical first step in healing and learning how to flex and grow in healthy, sustainable ways. In this roundtable, archivists from universities, public libraries, and government archives emphasize solutions, sharing self-care tips that have worked for them, ways they have strengthened their resilience, and suggestions for archivists seeking to advocate for their needs for wellness in the workplace.

How to Cite:

Morris, S., Swartz, A., White, L. & Anderson-Zorn, A., (2023) “Overcooked: Burnout, Self-Care and Resilience Building in Touch times”, MAC Annual Meeting Presentations 2023(1).