Building Trust and Laughter in Academic Libraries

Toxic workplaces in academic libraries often share the same roots: lack of communication, absence of trust, and exclusion. The consequences are predictable—burnout, disengagement, and diminished scholarly output. Yet, the opposite is also true. When trust, inclusion, and even laughter are present, library teams thrive. Scholarly productivity grows, relationships deepen, and the workplace feels lighter.

Insights from recent research highlight several themes that provide solutions for building healthy, inclusive, and productive environments in academic libraries.

1. Trust as the Foundation of Collaboration

Trust isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of every successful library project. Long-term partnerships work when colleagues respect one another’s expertise and commitment.

Solutions for Academic Librarians:

• Share responsibilities openly and without micromanagement.
  
  
• Rotate leadership roles on projects so every team member has space to lead and support.
  
  
• Focus on shared outcomes rather than individual credit.
  
  

2. Communication as a Continuous Practice

Toxicity festers in silence. Productive library teams build communication practices that make expectations clear, reduce misunderstandings, and allow space for questions and feedback.

Solutions for Academic Librarians:

• Use digital tools to streamline communication and avoid confusion over document versions.
  
  
• Embed regular check-ins where staff can voice concerns and progress.
  
  
• Encourage transparency in decision-making so no one feels left out of the loop.
  
  

3. Inclusion Through Shared Learning and Growth

Exclusion happens when knowledge is hoarded or training is inaccessible. Updating onboarding systems and assessment tools ensures that everyone—student workers, assistants, and librarians—can succeed. Inclusion means not only bringing people to the table, but equipping them to thrive once there.

Solutions for Academic Librarians:

• Invest in structured onboarding and ongoing training that meets staff where they are.
  
  
• Create accessible documentation that evolves with technology and services.
  
  
• Gather feedback from all staff levels and adjust processes based on input.
  
  

4. The Power of Laughter

It’s easy to overlook, but laughter matters. Humor makes deadlines more manageable and softens the stress of limited resources and tight timelines. Joy at work directly supports productivity and wellbeing.

Solutions for Academic Librarians:

• Normalize levity in meetings and projects; it builds resilience and bonds.
  
  
• Encourage authentic connections that go beyond task lists.
  
  
• Recognize that workplace joy is not frivolous—it is essential to long-term success.
  
  

5. Balancing Leadership and Support

The most effective collaborations are not power struggles but balancing acts. One person may lead while another supports, and roles may shift over time. This balance fosters equity and prevents resentment.

Solutions for Academic Librarians:

• Define project roles early but remain flexible to adapt as projects evolve.
  
  
• Value supportive roles as much as leadership roles.
  
  
• Encourage reciprocity so no one consistently carries the heavier load.
  
  

Conclusion

Academic librarians know that culture matters. Building trust, fostering inclusion, maintaining open communication, and allowing space for laughter are not “extras”—they are essential strategies for dismantling toxicity and promoting scholarly productivity. By centering these values, academic libraries can become not just places of learning, but workplaces of belonging.

Further Reading

Rysavy, M., & Michalak, R. (2020). What collaboration means to us: Trust, laughter, & scholarly productivity. Collaborative Librarianship, 12(1), 4–9. https://digitalcommons.du.edu/collaborativelibrarianship/vol12/iss1/2