Libraries are built on care, access, and service — yet the people who sustain them often operate under chronic stress, limited resources, and increasing community expectations. This session explores how self-leadership and compassion can be practical tools for maintaining clarity, resilience, and effectiveness in high-demand public service roles. Participants will examine the hidden costs of relying on self-criticism as a motivator and how this pattern contributes to burnout, disengagement, and diminished presence with patrons and colleagues. The e session introduces simple, evidence-informed strategies to regulate stress, respond skillfully under pressure, and lead from a place of steadiness rather than depletion.
