I’m Angela and I’m here to change the culture of libraries.
We have an epidemic of toxicity in libraries.
Maybe you experience that from people in leadership roles who use micromangement, neglect, and/or a self-proclaimed “Machiavellian” approach.
Maybe you experience that as a lack of clarity in everything from the onboarding to the promotion and tenure process, so that you never know when you’re doing enough to meet expectations, which leads to constant anxiety.
Maybe you experience that as being so overworked and understaffed that you can barely remember your own name some days, but still being told to “do more with less”.
Whatever it is, you know that’s not how you want to show up, and definitely not how you want to lead.
I want to help you build a better culture in your library.
❤️ I help library leaders develop skills to lead with curiosty and compassion, so that you can build a team that centers healthy communication.
🧡 I help library workers find their path through unclear expectations to build a career that you’re proud of.
💛 I help middle-managers navigate being stuck in the middle between wanting to lead with integrity and being pressured to do things that you know will crush morale.
💚 And I help library workers at all levels build strategies to manage your own workload and learn how to say “no” in ways that won’t get you fired.
💙 I’ve helped library workers at all stages of their career overcome obstacles, including developing their leadership skills, setting clear goals, navigating challenging interpersonal issues, getting started in scholarly writing for publication, and exploring whether a library career is still the best path for them.
💜 Whether you’re ready to take your career to the next level or feel stuck in your job and want to explore your options, I’m here to support you without judgment.
Working with Angela gave my career a much-needed boost. After feeling stuck for several years, Angela helped me identify and clarify my goals and map out an action plan. Now, instead of just ticking items off my to-do list week after week, I feel like I’m working towards a unified purpose.
Kristen
I’ve been where you are, and I want to help
I have stories for days about toxic leaders – from the department head who openly bragged about finding someone’s insecurity to “use” later to the neglectful admins who ignored the harm that person did for years.
Of course that situation also came with an utter lack of clear expectations and a tenure clock – a maximum number of years I could stay in that role without successfully earning tenure but no clear indication of how much is “enough” to earn it.
I watched colleague after colleague leave that library or leave the field while I fought to make things at least a little bit better. And they did get better for a while, until a new university President came along, and I realized it was time to move on.
So I completed an accredited training program and became a professional coach.
But I couldn’t just walk away from libraries entirely.
I love working with library workers who are passionate about supporting the people and communities that need libraries. Whether you’re at the circulation desk making sure that all kids have access to materials that represent them or you’re a director fighting to save every penny of the budget that you can in the next round of cuts, I see how much you care.
You deserve to work with people who support you instead of using vocational awe to coerce you into accepting toxic work conditions.
No one person can fix all of the systemic issues we’re dealing with across libraries, but I want to do what I can to help you navigate it in a way that’s aligned with your values, whether that means staying to fight to make things better or finding a new path.
Here are the ways I can help you
1:1 Coaching
Confidential individual coaching to help you reach your goals – whether that’s figuring out what goals even matter to you, developing your leadership skills, or navigating a professional challenge.
Leading with Purpose
Transform how you interact with your team so that you can help employees become more engaged, take more ownership of their work, and navigate difficult changes more effectively.
Slow Librarianship for Sustainable Success
Take control of your workload so you can do quality work that enhances your impact.
Leaving Libraryland
When you’re not sure you see your future in libraries, but don’t know where to start in considering your options, this self-paced course will provide a structured approach to exploring what you value, what other fields will value your skills, and help you get ready to make a career shift.