Boundaries. The word may connotate negative feelings. What are the benefits of boundaries? Why do we need them? But there are many positives to boundary-setting, as Kate Morgan, MLIS, and Rachel Beckman, MLIS, demonstrated during “Clear and Kind: Building Boundaries in Outreach Work.” In the lively and informative Wednesday morning program, Morgan and Beckman dove into the importance of boundaries when library staff are performing outreach work.
To begin, Morgan, explained what boundaries are, and that there are different types and levels of boundaries.
“Boundaries aren’t about controlling other people’s behaviors,” said Morgan. “They are about you; and making sure that you have communicated what your boundaries are.”
Different types of boundaries include physical, time, emotional, and material. Different levels include system, team, and personal boundaries.
Beckman also discussed the importance of boundaries when performing outreach work, which is very different from branch work.
“We need to minimize the assumptions that you are making, which can create systems of inequality when we start to make assumptions based on what [patrons] don’t have,” Beckman explained.
But it is acceptable to make exceptions, though she added that they should be based on mutual relationships, not because we think someone can’t do something.
Beckman explained that when you visit patrons in their homes, you are making extremely personal connections in intimate places.
She spoke about the trends and pressures in library work that make boundaries difficult, including vocational awe and resilience narrative.
It’s important, she explained, to create, communicate, and enforce boundaries, as one person’s limits may be different from those of someone else.
“Boundaries set the stage for healthier relationships that are based on shared power and equal standing, both in our workplace and without our patrons.”
Morgan explained that boundaries will preserve your integrity, along with team and system integrity. The absence of appropriate boundaries can lead to physical risk, misuse of resources, burnout, legal risks, or the erosion of trust.
She added that boundaries can shift and change, and these instances should be acknowledged and communicated.
Different outreach settings will require different boundaries. Morgan spoke at length about boundaries in adult settings, while Beckman shared her experiences when performing outreach.
One significant change that Morgan discussed was the halting of entering homes when performing home delivery – something that came about due to COVID-19.
“This was a hard change, not entering home,” said Morgan. “We felt like we would lose the connection, but ultimately it’s more successful. We’ve seen more caregiver buy-in, and the staff feels that their job is safer.”
When working in youth outreach settings, Beckman explained that different groups will have different expectations, i.e., the director, teachers, and children at a childcare setting.
She encouraged the audience to remember that “you are not their parent, teacher, or social worker – but you can be their best librarian.”
Morgan then discussed several tools that can be used for building better boundaries:
- Internal knowledge sharing;
- Documentation of process and procedure;
- Service agreements;
- Self-awareness.
“When we share knowledge, we are setting ourselves up to have better boundaries,” she said. “You don’t just want one person having that knowledge. The more you understand yourself, the more you understand your boundaries and why you do or don’t react to things.” ■