The Heart of a Library: Getting to Know Each Other

Starting a new job is overwhelming! New employees can feel isolated and disconnected without concerted effort by library colleagues, limiting their ability to create meaningful partnerships. Milner Library grappled with these challenges when a cohort of new employees arrived in summer 2020. Milner’s new mentoring program began to organize a series of virtual information sessions to increase awareness of different library departments. In the Getting to Know Milner series, presenters highlighted partnerships and the interconnectedness of library activities. Collaborators in the audience were able to see the value of their work reflected in their colleagues\u27 presentations. These sessions illustrated the importance of the library as a community and the merit of a unified approach. Library work extends beyond individual departments. This series emphasized that one’s place in a library is in many places. Interdepartmental conversations have increased, which is beginning to bridge longstanding gaps. The informal feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with fruitful participation and attendance. Both new and long-time employees have connected with their colleagues and have gained a deeper appreciation for what makes their library unique. At the heart of it, this series has built a stronger community at Milner Library