APLA 2016

This interactive workshop gives attendees a chance to learn new ways to improve library employee morale on a shoestring budget. To quote Canadian writer Gabrielle Roy, "Could we ever know each other in the slightest without the arts?" Our workshop answers that question for libraries while providing a creative outlet.

With libraries facing a challenging fiscal climate coupled with an increased demand for library services, many librarians are seeking strategies to improve employee morale. Often management will hold a workshop or other employee event to improve morale. Our approach goes beyond mere “window dressing” and delves further into the root causes of employee self-motivation.

Essentially, in any work-related endeavour, most of us long for more than a paycheque.  As librarians, we found innovative techniques to motivate employees. By implementing art activities, library staff were able to creativity express themselves. Much of the artwork created was both intriguing and illuminating. Although art activities have been long used in a variety of workplaces with success, it’s a relatively unexplored area in the library world that also happens to be seriously fun