How would you describe the culture of your library? It’s not a question we usually think about. Normally, we focus on purpose, Vision, and Mission, but this is a different way to look at what you are creating and how it is being received.

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines corporate culture as “the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization.” Using this definition as a guide, you might say:

•  The attitude of the library is that everyone is welcome here.
• The values probably include intellectual freedom and a love of literacy and learning.
• Your goal likely is to have students, teachers, and administrators view the library as a valuable part of their world.
• Your practices seek to eliminate barriers to accessing the library.

If your answers closely matched the ones given above, are you certain this is an accurate analysis of your library culture? Manar Morales the author of THE FLEXIBILITY PARADIGM: Humanizing the Workplace for Productivity, Profitability, and Possibility (Georgetown University Press, 2025) collaborates with organizations to develop inclusive, flexible work cultures that cultivate diversity in leadership, foster a more humanized work experience and drive workplace well-being. In the business would, not being clear on the culture of your organization or having it misaligned leads to loss of engagement and productivity as well as higher turnover. How can we use this awareness to support our work?  

In her article “Work is Not a Place, Culture is Not a Location,” she recommends a process which can improve your culture, resulting in a flourishing, successful library. Morales starts by having you identify the following “4 ‘W’s that define culture:”

Who do you serve? – Your key stakeholders are your students and teachers. They are always primary, although there are others, including administrators, parents, and the outside community.

What do you stand for?- Your Mission Statement should drive your daily actions. What values do you hold and how can this be seen by others?

Why do you do what you do? – Beyond your library’s Mission Statement, this is your personal mission. Why are you a school librarian? What brings you back through the stress and challenges?

Where are you headed? – This is your Vision Statement. It is your inspiration and aspiration. It’s not fully realized, and may never be, but you should come closer and closer through your strategic planning.

By your answers to the 4 ‘W’s, you recognize that the library is just a room, a place, unless you can connect others to it. Relationship building is key to making the library thrive. How do you share those 4 ‘W’s with your key stakeholders in a way that connects them to the library and its value to them?

Let’s go back to the definition of culture.

What do you do daily to demonstrate the attitude that everyone is welcome in the library? On the simplest level, it starts with a welcoming smile. It also is shown by your connecting with classroom teachers and specials. Reach out to art, music, and physical education teachers. You will be amazed at what creative results you can produce together.

How are you sharing your values? Posters and displays send powerful messages. Visual images reinforce words. Are your Mission and Vision Statements posted where everyone entering the library can see them? And do your words (what’s posted) match your actions? If people feel a disconnect between what you say and what you do, they won’t feel connected to the library.

What barriers have you taken down? – Are your computers handicap-accessible? Have you eliminated fines? Does your collection include materials in languages spoken by your students? Have you taken surveys to find barriers you might not have identified?

One last step. How have you brought the library’s culture into the wider community? Have you created a way to keep parents informed about the library and students’ successes? Do they know about the accessibility? Are you and the public librarian working together on projects aimed at reaching students while informing the community? What contacts have you made with local businesses? Building connections and allies deepens and strengthens your culture.

Creating the culture that results in a thriving library is an ongoing practice. But isn’t this why you became a librarian? Look at where you are already succeeding and then take a first step to go either deeper, broader, or both. The results may embolden you!