To motivate and retain library staff in a changing environment: Provide professional development: Offer training and opportunities for growth. Encourage innovation: Foster a culture of creativity and experimentation. Recognize achievements: Reward and acknowledge staff contributions. Foster a positive work culture: Promote teamwork, collaboration, and a supportive atmosphere. Offer competitive compensation: Ensure fair wages and benefits. Listen to feedback: Value staff input and address concerns.

In any space that I enter where I am in a leadership position I ask my team members what their goals are. I do not care if it is in libraries or outside of libraries and I put no pressure on them to give me a solid answer. Once we get some type of communication flow going we create a plan on tailoring training and experiences to their goals. You as management can almost always tie in house professional goals to their personal goals. I feel as though this has made staff feel more appreciated as well as more supported both personally and professionally.

My book The Networked School Librarian which is about school librarians working with and leading teams is now at editing stage with Facet publishing & due out in autumn- pleased to see I covered all these points!!! 😜

I have found discussing the options for a decision with staff invaluable. Insights and experiences are shared that I might not otherwise be aware of, and these can have a fundamental impact on the final decision. Once the choice is made, the action to deliver the objective is a shared goal and one we continue to report back on to each other as small pieces of progress are made. It makes our progress visible which is motivating, an opportunity for praise and enables refinement of actions needed.

True involvement of your library staff in the decision-making process is key. It's not enough to provide staff with the opportunity to offer opinions and ideas through meetings, focus groups, one-on-ones, etc., you need to take this input seriously and demonstrate that your staff's experience and energy are respected and considered. Nothing kills staff motivation faster than the perception that soliciting their input is only to impress your own bosses and that your decisions have already been made.

Totally agree Carol 100% 😊 Always discuss ideas and problems, both ad hoc and in our regular LM meetings. My assistant has different skills and perspective, always valuable

Sarah that is true, honest, trust, appreciating and giving the training is very important. Meeting with the juniors and giving update of what is going to happen maybe next few days.

I would give them space to vent their frustrations while explaining why the changes are happening. Also allow them to participate in the changes as long as it aligns with the company's goal.

Talk to your staff about their future and where they see themselves; if it is to become a professional librarian, discuss graduate school, locations of various schools, tuition reimbursement etc. If these subjects are never discussed, the employee may not feel the impetus to move ahead.