[Please excuse cross postings]

Dear Library Colleagues, 

We are writing to you with an invitation to participate in our research on the experiences involving burnout of academic librarians who are parents. The purpose of our study is to explore how and why academic librarians who are also parents experience burnout as well as methods taken to combat burnout. The goal of the study is to learn what the primary causes of burnout in librarians who are parents are and what if any effective strategies to mitigate burnout currently exist. For the purposes of this study, we’re defining “academic librarian” as anyone who engages or has engaged in library related work at a postsecondary educational institution. Library assistants, clerks, pages, part-timers, etc. are welcome and encouraged to participate.  There is also an optional survey to be entered into a drawing for a $20 giftcard to the business of your choice. Your responses to the optional survey will be kept separate from your other responses and you will remain anonymous. This study has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board at Valdosta State University. 

If you have experienced burnout in your time as an academic librarian and a parent we invite you to participate in an anonymous survey  that will take approximately 10  minutes to complete. Please submit your survey responses by March 30, 2021. 

Survey Link: 

https://valdosta.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eEwCjKdPmBClQFM 

Questions regarding the purpose or procedures of the research should be directed to Mike Holt (moholt@valdosta.edu), Robert Taylor (rngriggs@valdosta.edu), Amy Chew (achew@valdosta.edu), or Jessica Lee (jessicalee@valdosta.edu ).  This study has been approved by the Valdosta State University Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the Protection of Human Research Participants. The IRB, a university committee established by Federal law, is responsible for protecting the rights and welfare of research participants.  If you have concerns or questions about your rights as a research participant, you may contact the IRB Administrator at 229-253-2947 or irb@valdosta.edu.