These papers share a common thread of improving workplace environments by using queer, feminist, and creative practices. Library Work as Vocation: The Hidden Cost of Work as a Calling examines the relationship between library work as a vocation and resilience narratives as situated in white Protestantism and positive thought traditions, and how positive thinking as a management strategy is used to isolate individuals and reduce worker solidarity. Moran explores how library workers can advocate for use of consensus decision making as an alternative decision-making framework and use artistic critique methods to provide framing language. Useful + Beautiful: Queering Information Worlds investigates how poetry, art, craft, and story-telling expand the possibilities for seeking, expressing, organizing, and sharing knowledge. Arts-based methods can inform the practical development of techniques that allow personal and local knowledge organization techniques to function alongside, with, or in resistance to global standards.
Useful + Beautiful: Queering Information Worlds Melissa Adler, University of Western Ontario Hazel Jane Plante, Simon Fraser University Ana Diab, Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Library Work as Vocation: The Hidden Cost of Work as a Calling Ginny Moran, Macalester College