The NY Times yesterday had an article, “Downturn Puts New Stress on Libraries,” which covered how library staff are dealing (or not dealing) with the added stress of new job duties associated with the economic downturn.

“But in some cities, this new popularity — some would call it overtaxing — is pushing libraries in directions not seen before, with librarians dealing with stresses that go far beyond overdue fines and misshelved books. Many say they feel ill-equipped for the newfound demands of the job, the resultof working with anxious and often depressed patrons who say they have nowhere else to go.”

It’s not all doom-and-gloom, though. The article also offers some helpful examples of how staff are preparing and managing increased and changed work flows in their libraries.

“Paul LeClerc, president of the New York Public Library, said résumé writing had become a major use of library computers, and every librarian in the system had received training in how to better assist patrons conduct job searches. The 40 million visits to New York libraries over the past year, he said, is the greatest ever in a 12-month period.”

Hopefully your patrons are not engaging in knife fights in front of your library, but I’m sure many of them are looking for jobs and resources to help them through the tough days ahead. And if your staff are feeling overwhelmed, perhaps they can find some comfort in knowing that, at the least, they are not alone. And hey, maybe we can help. Let us know what new work flows / demands are particularly taxing in your library, and we’ll see if we can’t come up with some solutions or training that could help you out. Hey, that’s what we’re here for, after all.

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