Description: The challenges of combining academia with motherhood are no secret. How does this manifest in librarianship, a traditionally feminized profession? Join us for an interactive, audience-driven webinar where we will share the experiences of academic librarian-mothers. Discussion may include the logistical challenges of parental leave, tenure, and scholarly productivity; the physical challenges of pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and caregiving; and the intense emotional difficulty of traumas like infertility, miscarriage, and postpartum depression. Participants will share stories, build solidarity, and connect, with opportunities for individual reflection, group discussion, and anonymous sharing. The language used here is “mother,” but we recognize there are many types of caregivers, parents, and mothers and those who care about them. This session is for anyone who values and wants to explore feminized caregiving labor and its intersections with our profession.

Presenter: 

Madeline Kelly - Dean of Libraries, Western Washington University

Madeline Kelly is Dean of Libraries at Western Washington University and the author of ALA’s Complete Collections Assessment Manual. Her academic background includes a BA in English and Spanish and an MLIS from Simmons College. Professional interests include library collection assessment and management; leadership; and—increasingly—the intersections of gender, parenthood, and higher education. In addition to her work as a librarian, Madeline is mom to two little girls who make life chaotic, rich, and wonderful.

*Registration is Required*

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