Job Stress and Burnout: Occupational Hazards for Services Staff

Abstract

Occupational hazards of stress are noted in individuals designated with re-sponsibilities for service delivery in academic libraries . Staff members who perform duties requiring direct service to the library user are expressing concern about negative characteristics of job stress and the nonproductive results of burnout. Three components contributing to negative characteris-tics are highlighted as sources of frustration for services staff. The compo-nents are the individual ability to handle a stressful occupation, traditional organization structure, and fragmented professional support. Solutions are discussed in terms of productive individual coping strategies, enhanced organizational design, and cohesive professional support.