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Kindness as a Practice.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Kindness as a Practice.
Authors: Jones, Shannon D.1 JoneShan@musc.edu
Source: RUSQ: A Journal of Reference & User Experience. Spring2026, Vol. 61 Issue 3, p1-4. 4p.
Subjects: Kindness, Psychological safety, Library reference services, Library personnel, Professional relationships, Workplace incivility, Library public services, Employee well-being
Abstract: The article focuses on the importance of practicing kindness within library workplaces, especially in reference and user services, as a response to recent national challenges and ongoing workplace dynamics. It distinguishes kindness from niceness, emphasizing kindness as an active, sincere practice rooted in care, accountability, and respect that fosters trust, psychological safety, and organizational health. The article acknowledges that libraries are not immune to workplace incivility and bullying, often perpetuated by unaddressed power dynamics and vocational awe, and calls for kindness to move beyond aspiration into consistent practice. Practical examples include empathetic patron interactions, thoughtful communication, and self-care, all aimed at creating inclusive, respectful, and supportive library environments. [Extracted from the article]
Copyright of RUSQ: A Journal of Reference & User Experience is the property of American Library Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
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  Data: Kindness as a Practice.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jones%2C+Shannon+D%2E%22">Jones, Shannon D.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> JoneShan@musc.edu</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Kindness%22">Kindness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychological+safety%22">Psychological safety</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Library+reference+services%22">Library reference services</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Library+personnel%22">Library personnel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+relationships%22">Professional relationships</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Workplace+incivility%22">Workplace incivility</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Library+public+services%22">Library public services</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Employee+well-being%22">Employee well-being</searchLink>
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  Data: The article focuses on the importance of practicing kindness within library workplaces, especially in reference and user services, as a response to recent national challenges and ongoing workplace dynamics. It distinguishes kindness from niceness, emphasizing kindness as an active, sincere practice rooted in care, accountability, and respect that fosters trust, psychological safety, and organizational health. The article acknowledges that libraries are not immune to workplace incivility and bullying, often perpetuated by unaddressed power dynamics and vocational awe, and calls for kindness to move beyond aspiration into consistent practice. Practical examples include empathetic patron interactions, thoughtful communication, and self-care, all aimed at creating inclusive, respectful, and supportive library environments. [Extracted from the article]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of RUSQ: A Journal of Reference & User Experience is the property of American Library Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=egs&AN=192799843
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        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Kindness
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      – SubjectFull: Psychological safety
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      – SubjectFull: Library reference services
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Library personnel
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      – SubjectFull: Professional relationships
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Workplace incivility
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Library public services
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      – SubjectFull: Employee well-being
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              Text: Spring2026
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