Tuesday, December 10, 2024

"Empowering Resilience: Implementing Trauma-Informed Practices in Academic Libraries"

I'm excited to work on a project with my colleagues Edlyn Lim and Celia Hagey at the UBC Library.   Our Strategic Equity and Anti-Racism Framework (StEAR) Enhancement Fund project will help us deliver an integration of trauma-informed services at our library that can significantly enhance the support provided to students and staff, particularly in light of the increasing recognition of trauma's prevalence and its impact on learning and engagement.  Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a framework that emphasizes understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of trauma, which will help foster an environment of safety, trust, and empowerment for all patrons and those who work in the library. 

Academic libraries, as integral components of educational institutions, can benefit from adopting TIC principles. These principles align with the broader movement in higher education to create inclusive and supportive environments that acknowledge staff and students' diverse backgrounds and experiences. By implementing trauma-informed practices, we can create spaces that prioritize psychological safety, which is essential for those who may have experienced trauma. 

This includes training library staff to recognize the signs of trauma and to respond appropriately, thereby reducing the risk of re-traumatization during library interactions.   By introducing the 4 R's and its 6 principles of trauma-informed care, the intention is to validate diverse experiences, and ensure that library services are accessible and welcoming to all students.  Research has shown that trauma particularly affects those from historically marginalized backgrounds who have suffered from systemic racism and violence.  

Recently, I was taken aback when I came across a seemingly innocent question from a colleague, "Does trauma happen here at the Library?"   Of course, it does.  This tells me the term trauma is not well understood nor widely accepted.   When we hear of trauma, we often envisage train wrecks with bloody carnage and the aftereffects of shell shock.  Certainly, some of our patrons come from war-torn countries and have suffered much psychological trauma.  But many do not.  Trauma comes in many forms.  

Research has shown that chronic stress can also result in the same psychophysiological impact as trauma.  This is particularly important in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has heightened stress in a broader sense.  The death of a loved one results in trauma.  Blatant racism and oppression over time.  Anti-Asian racism and gender-based violence during the pandemic have never really ended but evolved over time.   That causes trauma.

Implementing trauma-informed services in academic libraries is not merely a beneficial addition but a necessary evolution in how libraries engage with their communities. By recognizing the profound effects of trauma and adopting practices that promote safety, trust, and empowerment, my hope is for academic libraries to play a pivotal role in supporting students' and staff's academic and emotional well-being.