#critlib Caregiving 7/11/16

Hi everyone, it's time for another #critlib! This time on caregiving - see the Qs here:  http://critlib.org/caregiving/ 

Let's start with intros - don't forget the #critlib

whoa, didn't follow my own instruction - Ian, humanities librarian in nyc #critlib

#critlib Systems librarian headquartered in the Midwest. Miles from civilization.

@ibeilin I'm Amy in Boise! I'll be loosely participating. #critlib

Hi all! Nisha here, MLIS student at @iSchoolUI #critlib

Hi #critlib, I'm Violet, metadata librarian in the middle of Minnesota. Really looking forward to hearing more on this topic.

Hi #critlib, academic librarian. NYC. Kind of lurking (on the ref desk).

Hi everyone! Joanna, ref/inst lib in Baltimore. Jr (?) member of the sandwich generation. #critlib

i'm nicole, phd candidate in ontario, canada #critlib

Hi #critlib! I'm Ryan in Boise, community college librarian. Probably will be mostly lurking / supporting today.

Hi #critlib, I'm an academic librarian in Brooklyn. Looking forward to listening in on today's chat.

OK, hi to everyone who introduced, and hi also to any other lurkers out there - feel free to jump in any time #critlib

Here's Q1: How do you define “care”? We often talk about caregiving in terms of parenthood, but what are other forms of caregiving? #critlib

Hi #critlib! Adam, academic librarian, Philly area.

Reminder: I will send out all of the ?s.Sarah's account is private for personal reasons but she will be facilitating too! #critlib

Cataloger and soon-to-be full-time caregiver in Michigan. #critlib

A1. Care can be physical, emotional, spiritual even... #critlib

#critlib Q1. We could be caring for a spouse, a parent, a sibling, a cousin, a friend. Even caring for the animals in the house can be work.

@marccold Sorry, that was curt. Hello all! #critlib

#critlib Should caregiving also include support (of various kinds) we give to coworkers?

#critlib  https://twitter.com/MetadataCatalog/status/752565385183031297 …

@nishamody #critlib Any sort of *caring* could be considered, broadly, as "care." E.g. I *care* that a student is having a crisis.

Sarah: A1. Echoing @nishamody here. Also appreciate the reading's point that care can apply to many dif audiences #critlib

#critlib A1. Can be caretaker to family members who are disabled with mental or physical health problems, intellectual disabilites.

@ibeilin Yes. Care is helping someone emotionally, physically, financially. We do this work for our students, our patrons as well. #critlib.

Q1: Parenthood placed unanticipated caregiving on my spouse and I for each other. ie "Home today, wife too sick to watch kids" #critlib

@nishamody #critlib Caring / care is work, it tires you. Whether it's physical or emotional.

Hello! I'm Denisse. MLIS student, cataloger, and very interested in the discussion, although only able to lurk. Tweeting from MIA 🌴🔥#critlib

@ibeilin whether it 'should' or 'shouldn't' i think it already does #CritLib (hi y'all, cataloger here in Boston)

A1 My aunt has a few different disabilities & will never be able to live alone. My parents are her legal guardians, caregivers. #critlib

@ibeilin Yes! I think we have to balance this w/our own self-care and job resp. Care = humanity which is so important on the job. #critlib

@adammizelle me too! #critlib

A1. Image of caregiving is some1 living w/ totally dependent individual who requires constant attention, but there are other types. #critlib

@CiotaRebecca Yes! Interesting semantic difference with verb vs. noun #critlib

Hi #critlib - Jessica, academic librarian with many hats. I both provide care and need care

#critlib A1 what's the difference between being a full time parent versus caregiving?

#critlib If it doesn't, it's a pretty hollow and empty sort of care we're talking about  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752565345794293760 …

(hi - infolit librarian near nyc!) I find caregiving to always involve patience and listening, doesn't matter to whom #critlib

@librarythinking #critlib Not much.

A1.1 But more broadly, care probably = mental, physical, emotional assistance / consideration for others, not "just" parent/family. #critlib

A1. (cont.) Caregiving can also include having family (chosen or bio) w/needs that take up a person's energy or emotional space. #critlib

A1 #critlib I'm an auntie, a friend, a daughter, a sister, a coworker, a neighbor, a community member, a volunter  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752564467318263808 …

Sarah: Caregiving can look v dif depending on circumstances. How does policy sometimes address this image? #critlib

#critlib - Yes!  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752565345794293760 …

A1. (cont. further) I am the second at the moment; will be the first in probably a decade's time. #critlib

I'm not able to participate in #critlib chat today but excited to moderate jul. 26 about "offensive" items in library collections

A1 #critlib I kind of suck a direct emotional support, but I'll write reference letters, babysit, offer gifs  https://twitter.com/schomj/status/752566646758207488 …

Here's the next, Q2: How do social expectations (or a lack of such expectations) for caregiving affect you or your workplace? #critlib

A1: Think emphasis on "giving" is important. Involves investment of time / emotion / capital / energy w/out expectation of return. #critlib

@SarahCrissinger #critlib and how do we give recognition to both care giver AND care recipient in a helpful manner?

@schomj @ibeilin I had thought of caregiving primarily towards aging parents and not as much parenting #critlib

Hi #critlib - Matthew here, medical librarian and new professional working a great deal with #graphicmedicine (very relevant to #caregiving)

#critlib Q2. My former acquisitions dept was 90% women and most were single parents, or had elderly parents to care for.

#critlib A1 Admit I'm hesitant to put a label of "caregiving" on casual acquaintances (like coworkers), disrespectful of larger burdens?

A1: I define care as providing support - be it emotional, physical, informational, or otherwise. #critlib  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752564467318263808 …

A2. The popular association of "caregiver" w/ "parent" means that sometimes other types of caregivers get ignored or devalued. #critlib

A2. It's hard to think about societal expectations as a blanket term tbh. #intersectionality #critlib

@nora_almeida do men more often think it as an investment that requires some return/compensation? #critlib

#critlib They were under a lot of pressure to take care of their families. We shared the load when our coworkers had other obligations

I think that's why I'm quick to state that I also need to RECEIVE care tho it may not be 100% reciprocal #critlib  https://twitter.com/nora_almeida/status/752567091803332609 …

@ibeilin+@SarahCrissinger Lisa UIUC IL coord. Glad you org'd this. Late bc visiting w prof who is on mat leave but brought in baby! #critlib

#critlib A1, The larger burdens faced by those with family members who depend entirely on them (like children or elderly parents), that is.

A2 #critlib I have insulin-dependent diabetes. Sometimes my blood sugars get low & I need help. CWs vary in response  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752567032701485056 …

A1 "care" = orientation of attention, concern, and assistance to others balanced by same for self #critlib

Sarah: We have to talk abt gender. V int that ALA toolkit (in readings) centered on women in the workforce  http://ala.org/groups/caregiv … #critlib

A2. (cont.) Not, I hasten to say, at my current workplace, which has been EXTREMELY helpful (emotional space, time off when needed) #critlib

A2 #critlib If there's no social expectation that CWs will provide care for CWs, my life is that much more dangerous

#critlib Q2. Govt & employer policies often protect caregiving for parents & kids & legal spouses.

#critlib Not for aunts/uncles, neighbors, family friends, friends, domestic partners.

A2 #critlib Also, I have CWs who are AMAZINGLY supportive and take time to care for many. I want them to be rewarded with jobs/tenure

A2 #critlib Sometimes not engaging in "caregiving" with coworkers is seen as selfish or mean. But I think it depends on the environment.

@CiotaRebecca but not nearly enough (at least in USA)! #critlib

@CiotaRebecca yes,l much worse for sure #critlib

Great point @CiotaRebecca, so structural legitimacy is definitely a factor here. #critlib  https://twitter.com/CiotaRebecca/status/752568280444002304 …

@MetadataCatalog And the kind of care expected/required, yes #critlib

@ibeilin @nora_almeida #critlib or is care more of a physical (tangible) investment for men as opposed to affective care?

A2. Advice for caregivers often extremely condescending (and slightly gendered), which drives me BONKERS. "Be sure and get sleep!" #critlib

@MetadataCatalog True. I think selfishness is part of self-care tho. V. subjective depending on environment & others' perspectives #critlib

#critlib Funerals might be a big insight into this. I get 1 day off for kid/spouse/mom/dad, 1/2 day for sibling, no day for friends, etc.

A2. Problem with the TT environment- emotional labor is not rewarded, which can really, really pose probs. #critlib  https://twitter.com/schomj/status/752568303680311296 …

@nishamody #critlib It absolutely can be. Sometimes you have enough on your plate that you really don't have anything to give others.

@marccold "Yes, thanks, I'll get right on it when we reduce the work week to 30 hours so I can fit in sleep." #critlib

@CiotaRebecca Oof. #critlib

@violetbfox It's an important distinction. One can extend care to all, but being a designated / primary caregiver is different. #critlib

@CiotaRebecca Yes! I so hate these policies. Not everyone's emotional life follows a pattern. #critlib

@marccold maybe true of all 'professional' environments? #critlib

@ibeilin not sure but think this is certainly a view that has some cultural traction. #critlib

@SarahCrissinger And I know of people fired for asking for personal leave to help care for an aunt on dialysis. #critlib

@marccold The worst. "Don't you wish you could be home?" "Do you have to work?" #critlib

dropping in and out during #critlib while during online reference. speaking of which ...

@ibeilin I think TT is unusual in having written reqs for promotion and in valuing certain aspects of job so highly, though. #critlib

Here's Q3: What are some of the structural, policy-level impediments one might encounter as a caregiver in LIS? #critlib

removing librarians from the reference desk is a way that institutions inhibit my potential to care for students #Q3 #critlib

@marccold yes, I see. I was thinking of the criteria for promotion, similar set of benchmarks measuring commitment to the job #critlib

A3. Depending on your job, working from home can be nearly impossible or simply impracticable. #critlib

@SarahCrissinger @CiotaRebecca #critlib with so much care happening in home/community, does it need to be more visible to better support?

@jayeldee Yes! Thank you - such an important point to make. #critlib

Q3: Lack of paid family leave in many places is huge. Have considered working across state line for this reason. #critlib

#critlib Q3. As faculty, I've got a lot of flexibility. The staff don't get that. Their time is tightly controlled.

A3: the expectation of being "objective" or "neutral" that many admins and the public share. #critlib  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752569739948519424 …

@ibeilin Worth noting...as a woman o& librarian I find the expectation that I am / want to be a caregiver (ie. parent) oppressive #critlib

True, oh, how true. Sundowning is a real phenomenon and can really mess with a caregiver's diurnal cycle. #critlib  https://twitter.com/MetadataCatalog/status/752569942801801216 …

A3 Silos and /or artificial boundaries between coworkers #critlib

@adammizelle and even where it is paid, it's almost always inadequate, too short (again, in usa) #critlib

Policies like this do so much to regulate / buttress / promote particular types of families. #critlib  https://twitter.com/CiotaRebecca/status/752568159639445504 …

#critlib As a supervisor, I'm constantly asked/told about hours & the need to have dif times off. I wish they had flex too.

SarahSomething I've been thinking abt a lot is requirement to move/ be geographically fluid (we tell new grads not to be landlocked #critlib

A3: The near-necessity of willingness to move or travel for work can be deal-breaking for caregivers. #critlib  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752569739948519424 …

A3 All-or-nothing, nuclear family models of caregiving seem completely out of touch with real life to me #critlib  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752569739948519424 …

A3. Any type of quota requirement could be an impediment. Not sure how frequent this is? Maybe it's more implied? #critlib

@CiotaRebecca #critlib support (policy, work place) for eldercarers seems to be trailing child carers

Sarah: What does this mean for caregiving? Do you have to compromise job success? Or is this a false dichotomy I'm creating? #critlib

@ibeilin #critlib So, so, so, so true. My family is fine now, but will me being 4hrs away be sustainable when they get older?

A3: yes, problematic that only certain kinds of relationships are recognized in professional spaces @foureyedsoul #critlib

A3 #critlib And since those are the models on which paid/approved leave and benefits are based, it's... yuck

A3. Expectation to work nontraditional hours (esp reference) #critlib

#critlib I think sometimes we forget that sometimes life just happens and there's nothing we can do about it. 1/2

I moved for a job. It's a much better job, more satisfying, I get paid more, better benefits, & yet I feel guilty every single day. #critlib

If I weren't traveling and putting together three talks on Primo accessibility, I'd so love to be participating in the #critlib chat.

@SarahCrissinger #critlib It can also free them up. Maybe their partner works days, so can take caregiving nightshifts.

#critlib 2/2 Not really fair when one paygrade is fine and another is docked time.

Sarah: ability to work these shifts seems to almost be a requirement in LIS, at least for public or academic (not sure abt special) #critlib

What it means in my case is that I can either give time or I can give money, but I can't do both. #critlib  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752570989960101888 …

Tuning in a little late to #critlib. I still forget that I'm in a different time zone now.

Similar backstory. I think the awareness of the privilege I had at that time makes me more outspoken now #critlib  https://twitter.com/marccold/status/752571346442477568 …

Q4 We often see a disparity in benefits between staff in different roles, e.g. professional, support, faculty. True in your work? #critlib

Article by @lisaslo "Affective Labor, Resistance, and the Academic Librarian" of interest?  http://yorkspace.library.yorku.ca/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10315/31500/affectivelabor_librarytrendsSpring2016.pdf?sequence=1 … #critlib

A4 #critlib Utterly true. It's built into our contracts. Union shop so contracts are generally good but v disparate  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752572166567256064 …

A4: Although 'support staff' are unionized at mpow, they still have very inadequate benefits, esp. for caregiving #critlib

A4: I feel like those disparities themselves start creating silos. #critlib

A4:The benefits fairy only comes to those who were privileged enough to earn an #MSLS. Support staff suffer #critlib  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752572166567256064 …

Yes, and serious question, where isn't this true? #critlib  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752572166567256064 …

I'm Kate - acad archivist in Denver! A1: Eldercare is huge & not discussed as much as shld be. #critlib  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752564467318263808 …

Hi #critlib, I'm an urban public librarian

@kcrowe shouldn't eldercare be assumed a universal need, and therefore supported the same as family leave? #critlib

A4. I'm a grad assistant so there is. And there is def tension about these disparities on campus. #critlib  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752572166567256064 …

A lot of my students are caregivers / parents & not always sure how to handle accommodation v. uniformity in academic expectations. #critlib

YES. As the supervisor of public service unit this is v impt to me. We hv a desk, but flex as much as poss. #critlib  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752565345794293760 …

@nora_almeida thanks for that point - so many people who come into library are caregivers and that plays into how we serve them #critlib

@nishamody The difference between a GA and an "Intern" during #gradschool was huge. Same responsibility, vastly different benefits. #critlib

@ibeilin I have more flex time than support staff but they have more contracted leave for extended family care. Diff priorities? #critlib

@kcrowe #critlib eldercare so invisible! maybe because older adults no longer "productive" and carers are not "working" when caring?

Sarah-I'm really int in this question re: academic librarianship and tenure track vs. staff positions. Does anyone know of any lit? #critlib

A1 I define care in terms of work and how capitalism has shaped its development in the modern world. #critlib

also, frantic pace of academia inhibits my ability to care. now reading "the slow professor" & trying to apply it to librarianship. #critlib

@ndalmer @kcrowe I think it's weird cultural utilitarianism- caring for children is valuable b/c raising the next generation! #critlib

@libraryrat4 interesting - what would you say is the relationship between work and care in light of that history? #critlib

@libraryrat4 do you mean unpaid work? #critlib

Also making sure that staff who are committed to srvc of uni get paid for and can sched srvc time. #critlib  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752565345794293760 …

@schomj @ibeilin Same here- support staff usually have more paid leave, but less flexibility in work hours (and make less $). #critlib

@marccold and yet it's mostly lip service, it's not nearly supported enough @ndalmer @kcrowe #critlib

@marccold @ndalmer @kcrowe Just the potential to need to provide eldercare hangs over so many working people. #critlib

OK, last one! Q5. If you have benefits others don’t, how can you work to create more inclusive policies around caregiving? #critlib

Sarah: A4 as we think abt this disparity, biggest reflection for me is: how should we supervise caregivers? that makes a difference #critlib

A5: Use the power afforded by position/situation that affords those benefits to leverage admin. for change #critlib  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752575020501700610 …

@ibeilin i am the president of our faculty association and our next bargaining team will be a feminist bargaining team! #critlib #Q5

@SarahCrissinger #critlib i'm teaching a course that questions LIS' approach re: seniors. including a class on care - suggestions on topics?

Sarah:Some information here:  http://eeoc.gov/policy/docs/ca … but is also abt compassion, understanding, and generosity toward whole person #critlib

A5. It's so funny. I assume I haven't "earned" these benefits. I don't fight it even tho I probably should! #critlib  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752575020501700610 …

A5 #critlib As a supervisor, learning which rules can be (quietly) bent in support of staff being humans  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752575020501700610 …

A5: I think to remember that most likely, you have been or will be in this person's shoes. #critlib

Analysing your work policies from a feminist perspective will help in many ways and make changes that work for everyone. #critlib #Q5

Q5 I've heard about CWs pooling their sick days for others on the staff. Surprise -- numerous employers don't like this. #critlib

i was surprised at how much overall support there is for a feminist bargaining team #critlib #apuo

A5. Make support for caregiving more than a damned PDF telling caregivers to exercise and to accept help when offered (what help?). #critlib

Sarah: @adammizelle @marccold @ndalmer YES. class is additional factor. My mom has no retirement/ savings & I think abt this often #critlib

A5 #critlib Other than being subversive I don't think I individually have much power - so collective action? voting?  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752575020501700610 …

Sarah: @adammizelle @marccold @ndalmer if we think abt caregiving as also financial, this is huge (and fin & phys often intersect) #critlib

@ibeilin Corrected link, for those that don't follow Sarah:  https://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/caregiver-best-practices.html … Wonderful resource! #critlib

Seriously. Flex, flex, flex, flex some more. This is something that salaried mgrs can help w by filling in. #critlib  https://twitter.com/schomj/status/752575634598080512 …

@SarahCrissinger @adammizelle @marccold @ndalmer @kcrowe Also, distance. Challenging to actually be there for a sick parent #critlib

A5. (cont.) Allow for flexibility. Don't shame people for using FMLA. Give workers (including students) privacy when necessary. #critlib

@NoetheMatt My wife's former workplace nixed this for a friend we lost last yr to cancer. It was a charter school. #critlib

Yes! Dad had back surgery this yr & everything was taken care of - insurance, PTO, travel. Still stressful! #critlib  https://twitter.com/nora_almeida/status/752576289576480768 …

We are winding down the hour already! Please feel free to share additional info, and plugs. #critlib

#critlib A5. Ensure your coworkers know their rights in terms of leave. Can be easily overlooked & make life more difficult than necessary.

@nora_almeida #critlib location is huge - especially for seniors encouraged to age in place - opportunity for libraries in community?

A5 Hell, I tell people to sign up for FMLA at the first hint they might need it. It's limited but still... #critlib  https://twitter.com/marccold/status/752576464026005504 …

@adammizelle i've never heard of that before. That's radical community. #critlib

And find ways to make the legal and governmental jargon more understandable for everyone! #critlib #FMLA  https://twitter.com/violetbfox/status/752577196741369857 …

Great chat today,everyone! Thanks to all and our moderators!! #critlib

@jayeldee @adammizelle Wow! yes totally radical. Not shocked they don't like it, lol #critlib

Back to A1: I define care as being human and treating myself and others like humans. Flaws + rainbows + all #critlib  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/752564467318263808 …

Before you go, does anyone want to volunteer to storify this #critlib

.@ibeilin well, care is work (even if it is work we enjoy) it can't be defined outside of capitalism. Selma James writes abt this! #critlib

Huge thanks to @SarahCrissinger & @ibeilin for proposing & leading a very important #critlib chat! Any volunteers to Storify (archive) chat?

Sarah: And a huge thank you to @violetbfox & other #critlib admin & their unseen work that keeps these chats going!

@nishamody @jayeldee Usually its in response to a catastrophic illness #critlib

@libraryrat4 @ibeilin That's an interesting definition of work that strikes me as odd at first glance. I'll have to read more! #critlib

Thanks all around for another edifying #critlib chat!

#critlib pitch - consider joining #DLFteach chat tmrw on Dig Lib Resource Sharing/Prof Development - Qs+dets here:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yQn8zKXlrLpbEf6Fz2x6vpcg_wFEy7jcHwWQWPwkFc4/edit?usp=sharing …

.@NoetheMatt .@ibeilin check out the Italian autonomist feminists of the 70s as well as Sex Race and Class by Selma James #critlib

Much thanks for leading @SarahCrissinger @ibeilin! Twas my first #critlib chat - lots to think about!  https://twitter.com/violetbfox/status/752578103130464256 …

@jdh_lib & I explored indigenous knowledge within the MLIS curriculum, will present at @IFLA -  http://library.ifla.org/1440/  #wlic2016 #critlib

Thanks to @SarahCrissinger for all your thought and planning for this #critlib

Did someone volunteer to storify this! I can do it! (I haven't before tho) #critlib

.@NoetheMatt .@ibeilin this is a good intro to thinking about care as work #critlib  https://viewpointmag.com/2012/03/19/care-work-and-the-power-of-women-an-interview-with-selma-james/ …

Ack, I missed another #critlib chat! #lifewithoutsmartphones #gottacatchemall

@maraebrarian I'll be at IFLA. Hope our paths w cross! #critlib

I am thinking about this a lot since I am expecting a little one soon! #critlib  https://twitter.com/violetbfox/status/752562574562979840 …

It seems like radical nurses have been talking abt care, work and reproductive labor for longer than librarians. not sure if true. #critlib

.@violetbfox here is one, it describes itself as a caring labor support network … https://florencejohnstoncollective.wordpress.com/about/  #critlib

Looks like a very promising webinar. #autism #critlib #disability  http://www.ala.org/ascla/serving-library-patrons-autism-disorder …

was a sweet treat to dig into today's chat on intersections of #critlib and #care. thanks to moderators @SarahCrissinger & @ibeilin!