Standing Strong: Support for Librarians Facing Redundancy

Standing Together: Supporting Our Librarians in Difficult Times

Libraries have always been a special place in our communities—where anyone can learn, find comfort, and connect with others. Behind every library are dedicated professionals who have spent years helping others, often going above and beyond without much recognition. But now, many of these incredible people are facing a harsh reality: redundancy.

Why This Matters to Me

I’ve spent over 20 years working in the library sector, and I’ve seen firsthand the dedication and passion that library managers and staff bring to their work. These people care deeply about their communities, have touched countless lives, and now find themselves in an incredibly difficult position.

Library managers, in particular, are feeling the strain. They may be facing the threat of redundancy themselves but are also struggling to support their teams through this challenging time. It’s a heavy burden to carry, and it can feel overwhelming.

Redundancy isn’t just about losing a job—it’s about losing a sense of purpose, facing uncertainty, and dealing with the emotional toll that comes with it. It’s a tough situation, and I believe that no one should have to go through it alone.

As an experienced Librarian who is now a Kindness and Wellbeing coach and trainer I want to bring together resources and experts to help the community who are struggling so much right now.

What We’re Trying to Do

This fundraiser is all about providing real, tangible support to struggling library professionals. With your help, we want to:

Host Webinars: Offer practical, supportive webinars that help people navigate career changes, build resilience, and care for their mental health. We’ll also focus on helping managers cope with the added pressure of supporting their teams through redundancy, as this benefits everyone.

Provide One-on-One Coaching: Give personalised coaching sessions to help individuals find their way forward, explore new opportunities, and regain their confidence. For managers, this will also include guidance on how to lead with empathy during such challenging times.

Facilitate Group Coaching: Create small groups where library professionals can come together, share their experiences, and support each other. Managers and assistants will have the chance to connect with peers dealing with similar challenges.

Build an Online Support Group: Set up a safe space online where people can connect, share resources, and continue to support each other long after the initial coaching.

How Your Contribution Can Make a Difference

Every donation, no matter the size, plays a crucial role in supporting our library professionals during these challenging times. Here’s how your contribution can make an impact:

£5: Even a small donation of £5 can make a big difference. It can help cover the cost of resources for one participant in our online support group, ensuring they have access to the materials and tools they need.

£25: A donation of £25 could provide a library professional with access to a single webinar, offering them vital guidance on career transition, resilience building, or mental well-being.

£50: With £50, we can provide one hour of group coaching for a librarian, giving them the support and peer connection they need to navigate redundancy.

£200: If we raise £200, we can deliver a webinar for up to 100 librarians. This session could cover essential topics such as job search strategies, stress management, or leadership during times of change.

£500: If we raise £500, we could fund a full day of one-on-one coaching sessions for up to three library professionals, helping them gain personalized guidance as they explore new career opportunities.

£1,000: If we raise £1,000, we could provide a half-day workshop for up to 50 librarians, focusing on in-depth topics like advanced career planning, mental health strategies, or leadership during restructuring.

£2,250: If we raise £2,250, we could run a complete group coaching program for five librarians. This would include six sessions where participants can share experiences, solve problems collectively, and build lasting support networks.

£5,000: If we raise £5,000, we could fund two group coaching programs for 10 librarians, along with two webinars that could reach up to 200 library professionals. This would create a strong foundation of support for those facing redundancy.

£10,000: If we raise £10,000, we could fund four group coaching programs benefiting 20 librarians and deliver five webinars that could provide guidance and support to up to 500 library professionals nationwide. This level of funding would have a transformative impact, reaching hundreds of professionals in need.

If We Can Do More…

If we exceed our stretch goal of £10,000, we want to extend this support to even more library professionals. This means more webinars, coaching sessions, and a larger community where everyone feels supported.

How You Can Help

Every donation, no matter the size, will make a difference. You’re not just giving money—you’re helping someone regain their confidence, find new opportunities, and feel supported during a difficult time.

Whether you can sponsor a webinar place, a whole webinar, fund a coaching session, or spread the word about this campaign, your support will have a lasting impact.

Why It’s Important

This isn’t just about helping individuals—it’s about giving back to the people who have spent years giving so much to us. Our libraries wouldn’t be the same without the amazing professionals who keep them running, and now, it’s our turn to support them.

Together, we can make sure that no one faces redundancy alone. We can help our library heroes, especially those in management roles, navigate these tough times and move forward with hope and strength.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support means the world.