LIS Interrupted: Intersections of Mental Illness and Library Work

by Miranda Dube (Editor), Carrie Wade (Editor)

Within the realm of library work, conversations about mental illness are too frequently pushed to the sidelines, whispered about behind office doors, or covered up for others’ comfort. LIS Interrupted is a book that directly addresses those conversations in an edited collection of firsthand experiences from library workers. This book draws these conversations into public view and in doing so brings the experiences of mental illness to the forefront–offering space for comfort, connection, and community.

The intention of this work is to provide a collection of both personal narratives and critical analyses of mental illness in the LIS field, thus offering a unique opportunity to explore the many intersections with labor, culture, stigma, race, ability, identity, gender, and much more to provide context for positive change. LIS Interrupted is geared towards library workers, educators, and students in a variety of environments as a text, resource, guide, and place of refuge.

Genres: Librarianship, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2021

Reviews

[Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

As is true for a lot of books like this, all of the chapters aren't of equal value. The volume is really trying to do two things -- first, to summarize the existing scholarship around library workers and mental illness; and second, to give some personal narratives of library workers negotiating mental health challenges.

I thought it did a much better job at the first part than the second. Several of the more scholarly articles were fascinating, and raise some interesting questions for future scholarship. I found the personal essays much less compelling, but your mileage may vary. At any rate, there's just not much useful information easily accessible on how mental health affects library workers, so even if this book has some flaws, it's still valuable to the profession as a whole.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had started reading this book a few months ago and it got recalled, so I was able to finish it quickly.

Every library needs a copy of this and it should be read by all librarians. Why? Because mental illness, mental health, affect us too. There are personal stories on what librarians have experienced and coped with regards to their illnesses and the workplace, and we should all listen.

[Doni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book isn't what I thought it was. I thought it was going to be a treatment of how library employees should interact with patrons with mental illness. Instead, it was a treatment of being a library employee with mental illness. It was a very respectful treatment for those who are looking for something on this rather niche topic.

[kawm · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5