Sunshine & Stories Takes On Summer Burnout!

What is Sunshine & Stories?

Sunshine & Stories is a Colorado State Library podcast dedicated to all things summer in public libraries. During our 2024-25 season, keep an eye out for new episodes twice a month from August to May. We’ll explore topics like performers, incentives, outreach, volunteers, capturing impact, and many more ideas related to designing a summer public library program for your whole community (adults included!). Featuring interviews with other Colorado State Library staff and ideas from Colorado library professionals around the state, this podcast aims to provide valuable insight and spark creative ideas in your public library’s own 2025 summer planning. Whether you’re a veteran in the summer library program planning world, a newbie looking to start a summer program for the first time, or someone who’s considering changing up your program a little or a lot this year, we hope this podcast will be a valuable resource for you. Sunshine & Stories is available on most major podcast apps

Ep. 111 Don’t Get Burned By Summer

Episode Summary:

Ever felt completely burned out even though you’re only halfway through summer? We have too! In this episode, learn more about common and not so common signs of burnout and some important strategies beyond self-care that just might help you head it off a little this year. (Full transcript available here.)

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00:00 – Introduction
01:16 – What is burnout and why does it happen in library work
04:04 – Less commonly cited signs of burnout
07:20 – Thinking basic self-care and beyond to collective care
11:40 – More places you can learn about burnout in the library and collective care
13:58 – Book & resource recommendations
15:37 – Closing

Resources:

Collaborative Summer Library Program
Colorado Youth Services Library Network mailing list
Hidden Voices: Piano Music by Black Women Composers from University of Colorado Boulder
Job burnout: How to spot it and take action – Mayo Clinic
“Feeling the Burnout” from Library Journal
Mental Health and Wellness series from the Colorado State Library
The Science Behind Our Burnout: Compassion Fatigue in Libraries
State Library Staff Day training menu for Colorado folks to request free staff day training at their libraries
What you are looking for is in the library by Michiko Aoyama (Author); Alison Watts (Translator)
Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kristen Miller
Meet Me at the Library: A Place to Foster Social Connection and Promote Democracy by Shamichael Hallman

Next Drop-in Chat:

Hey Colorado library folks! Join us on January 28, 2025 at 11:00 am to noon Mountain Time for our next online Summer Drop-in Chat. No need to register. Come when you can, stay for as long as you can. See you soon!