For immediate release | November 2, 2020

Updated Caregivers Toolkit Available

91´«Ã½

The 91´«Ã½'s Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) announced the relaunch of its . The toolkit includes the following categories: General Resources, Caregiver Organizations, Caregiver Support, Employer Resources, Government Agencies, Library Resources, Webinars and Training, Research/Statistics, Articles and Grief Support. The recently updated and expanded Toolkit is intended to provide easy access to vital caregiver resources that benefit library workers caring for loved ones. This effort is part of 91´«Ã½’s commitment to support library staff wellness and is made possible by members of the.

At some point in a library workers’ career, he or she will be a caregiver, will work with someone who is a caregiver or will supervise a caregiver. Now more than ever, the issue of caregiving is relevant and timely to those employed in libraries today. The COVID-19 pandemic is complicating matters of care for families. It has forced many schools and libraries to close while also forcing many who have not lost their jobs, to work from home. Those who are parents and/or caregivers are attempting to work as employees and teachers as they continue working as caregivers. Understanding the challenges of the caregiver role will become critical to most library staff.

While the list of resources does not seek to be comprehensive, 91´«Ã½ members are invited to share feedback as well as additional links or materials by contacting caregiving@ala.org.

The 91´«Ã½ serves as the liaison for the .

Related Links

Contact:

Beatrice Calvin, MA, Counseling, CDF

Manager, Professional Development

Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment (HRDR)/APA

bcalvin@ala.org

312/280-4280