Academic librarian schedules and workspaces

Libraries around the world are exploring new models for operating and providing services post-pandemic. Many case studies have been written about individual programs and services, alongside articles about libraries pivoting as a response to COVID-19; however, this study is a large-scale, national study on library work. As academic libraries have been playing with flexible schedules and different types of workspaces, there are major implications for how librarians work and their level of satisfaction with their jobs.

This study of English-speaking Canadian academic librarians is the first national overview of how and where librarians across the country are working, and levels of satisfaction with different working situations and conditions. The following research questions were considered:

• 1.
  What are librarian work schedules, and are they able to choose their schedules?
• 2.
  What kinds of workspaces do they have?
• 3.
  What do they like about their workspaces?
• 4.
  What do they feel can be improved with their schedules and workspaces?

Results show that the majority of academic librarians work in closed offices, and prefer this set up. Most work on campus between 3 and 5 days a week, and choose which days they work from home.

This study fills a gap in literature on the current working environment in academic libraries, providing comprehensive findings on how librarians feel about their working conditions and schedules. Results are easily adaptable to other library settings and to other academic units.