Wellbeing: Resources for Library Staff
The M25 Task & Finish Group on Wellbeing is investigating the ways academic libraries can promote student wellbeing through their own activities and by working with other groups within the university. It is also looking at how libraries are supporting the wellbeing of their own staff.
The group is formed of seven volunteers from M25 member libraries and its work is divided into three strands: Collections, Services and Spaces, and Staff Wellbeing.
Most of our findings and resources are published in full on our blog.
Collections
An Introduction to Bibliotherapy
A comprehensive overview of the practice of bibliotherapy, including a list of resources and further reading.
Finding resources for a wellbeing collection: some things to consider when starting out
A look at some of the key considerations when planning a wellbeing collection.
Reading Well: finding resources for a wellbeing collection
The Reading Well booklists curated by the Reading Agency can help you find books and resources for your collection.
Object-led wellbeing at Central Saint Martins
A discussion with the Head of the Museum and Study Collection at CSM, Judy Willcocks.
You can also hear Judy talk in more detail about object-led wellbeing in this video:
Interview with Liz Brewster
Liz Brewster, the Senior Lecturer in Medical Education at Lancaster University, talks about student wellbeing and bibliotherapy.
Services and spaces
24-hour library opening can support student wellbeing
A case study from Birkbeck, University of London. View the report in PDF here.
Promoting ‘belonging’ in library spaces
A case study from the University of Kent.
Staff wellbeing
Wellbeing guidelines and toolkit launched at QMUL
The library at Queen Mary University of London has created some guidelines and a toolkit for line managers to help promote the wellbeing of its staff.
Library staff wellbeing during the lockdown
A case study from Queen Mary University of London.
Some tips for improving staff wellbeing
Things that managers should think about when they consider staff wellbeing.
Wellbeing at LSBU: a case study
Staff and student wellbeing at London South Bank University
Further resources
Four recent papers about academic libraries and wellbeing
Jisc and Emerge Education Report: Student and staff wellbeing
Student mental wellbeing in higher education: good practice guide (UUK report)
Not by degrees: improving student mental health in the UK’s universities (IPPR report)
#stepchange: Mental Health in Higher Education
There is more information about these and other resources on the group’s blog.
In summer 2020 the Wellbeing Task and Finish Group prepared a poster updating members on their progress so far. You can view the poster here.
If you have any questions about these resources or you would like to share a case study from your institution please contact the group Chair, Pete Williams at peter.williams1@bbk.ac.uk.