Toxic Dynamics Limited Edition Podcast 🎙️
Deep dives into academic library culture change. Listen to exclusive interviews with leading researchers and practitioners as we explore strategies and solutions for institutional transformation.
Episode 02: Jennifer Gunter King
Episode 03: Amanda Koziura and Stephanie Becker
Episode 04: Michael LaMagna and Erica Swenson Danowitz
New Release
The Toxic Dynamics Book
Navigating Higher Education Culture
A comprehensive guide for academic leaders and practitioners. Discover practical strategies for identifying systemic toxicity and implementing transformative changes in your institution.
Key Insights & Transformations
01
Structural Analysis
Uncover the hidden power structures and systemic barriers that sustain toxic workplace dynamics in academic libraries.
02
Actionable Advocacy
Move from passive observation to active transformation with proven strategies for staff advocacy and institutional change.
03
Cultural Restoration
Learn how to rebuild trust and foster inclusive knowledge sharing through evidence-based leadership practices.
Table of Contents
introduction
Russell Michalak, Trevor A. Dawes, and Jon E. Cawthorne
Chapter 01
Crisis In the Academy
Cari Didion
Chapter 02
Toxic Cultures in Higher Education: Faculty Unionization and Librarian Persepectives
Chloe Perian Mills
Link to author interview
Chapter 03
Bridging the Staff/Faculty Librarian Divide: Reducing Toxicity in a Learning Commons Environment
Erica Swenson Danowitz and Michael LaMagna
Link to author interview
Chapter 04
Culture and Leadership Change: The Perpetuation of Toxic Behaviors in Uncertain Times
Shelley McDavid and Juliet Gray
Chapter 05
Faculty by Any Other Name: Contract Classification's Contributions to Toxic Behaviors in Uncertain Times
Kaitlin Springmier, Carolyn Caffrey, and Katherine Luce
Chapter 06
Real Punks Advocate: Shifting the Culture to Address Academic Library Toxicity
Rachel Martinez and Matt Ogborn
Chapter 07
Toxic Work Culture During University Consolidation: The Importance of Transformational Leadership in Libraries
Melissa Edmonton Johnson
Chapter 08
Rankism in Academic Libraries
Alex Harrington and Linda Klimczyk
Chapter 09
Punching Down: The Role of Hierarchy in Creating a Toxic Workplace Culture
Natalia Estrada
Chapter 10
Maintenance as a Core Value: Recommendations for Increasing Gender Equity on Digital Scholarship Teams
Amanda Koziura and Stephanie Becker
Link to author interview
Chapter 11
Creating a Toxic Workplace Culture: The Damaging Effects of Well-Intentioned but Misguided Management Decisions
Cythinia F. Kufka, Marlee Dorn Giverns, Karen Glover, and Sofia Slutskaya
Chapter 12
How Poor Leadership and Favoritism Intersect to Create Toxic Work Environments
Simone Williams and Lora Del Rio
Chapter 13
Believe Me: Exploring How Leaders Generate Toxic Cultures in Academic Libraries
Yvonne Nalani Meulemans and Allison Carr
Chapter 14
Detoxing Library Culture: A Research and Assessment Approach
Link to author interview
Jennifer Gunter King
Chapter 15
Library Faith, Self-Care, and Academic Librarianship
John DeLooper
Chapter 16
Librarian Mentorship through Mutual Scholarship: An Approach to Foster Higher Morale and Strengthen Collegiality
Kristen J. Nyitray and Dana Reijerkerk
About the Authors
The Toxic Dynamics Book, edited by Russell Michalak, Trevor A. Dawes, and Jon E. Cawthorne, supports the mission of Inclusive Knowledge Solutions by exploring toxic organizational patterns and the work of building healthier workplace cultures in academic and library environments. Through this publication and related consulting efforts, the volume offers frameworks and practical strategies to help leaders move from recognizing institutional harm to strengthening trust, accountability, and inclusion.
What Readers Are Saying
"Acknowledging the toxic culture and its existence is the first step, and change does not happen overnight, but the strategies offered in this book are essential to consider. The editors offered a great general multi-step process as a starting point: “identify the issues, create a plan, build a coalition, foster open communication, lead by example, lead to promote sustainable change, and celebrate progress.”
Michelle K. mitchell
Ruthann Mowry
🔗https://crl.acrl.org/index.php/crl/article/view/26686/34611
Transform Your Institution
Let’s work together to create healthy academic environments. Invite Inclusive Knowledge Solutions to help lead your toxic culture transformation.