The Alienated Librarian (contributions In Political Science) [Hardcover]

The Alienated Llibrarian is a thoughtful, thorough analysis of the proletarianization of professional work throughout history. . . . What this book does is to present a penetrating investigation of the problem, draw thoughtful conclusions and suggest coping strategies. Collection Management

This excellent book should attract a wide audience including professional librarians, library school faculty and students, library administrators,and the consulting community. It is highly recommended. Information Processing & Management [Nauratil's] analysis does help us gain an understanding of the issue, just as her concluding chapter on coping, and beyond, may help us address the issue when we are confronted with it. Wilson Library Bulletin

Perhaps because of the popular stereotype of librarianship as a low-pressure, nonstressful profession, librarians have been largely overlooked in current research on occupational burnout. Yet, like other human service personnel who are in continual contact with the public, more and more librarians are experiencing burnout and consequent alienation in the workplace. This study is the first to provide a comprehensive analysis of the problem as it exists among today's librarians.

Nauratil begins with an examination of the burnout phenomenon and the factors that contribute to stress and alienation in the human service professions. She discusses the additional pressures resulting from the dilemmas faced by libraries, including dwindling budgets, theft of library materials, understaffing, and the demand for broader or improved services. The costs associated with burnout--such as reduced productivity, rapid employee turnover, and deterioration of services--are also considered. The author asks whether alienation and burnout are the inevitable consequences of the librarian's job under contemporary condl3#