[No attempt at an empty apology for cross-posting/OT post. Not today, anyway.] Hello everyone, This week, January 18 - 23, is LIS Mental Health Week 2016, or #lismentalhealth if you are on various social media platforms. This week, co-organized by Cecily Walker and Kelly McElroy, focuses on raising awareness about mental health issues surrounding LIS as well as sharing resources in educating and assisting yourself and/or others in all things mental health. Librarianship, at its core, is a service profession which requires a higher level of emotional labor and empathy. Sometimes we forget that, and we as a community suffer due to that forgetfulness. Combine that with the stigma around mental health, and we face a double whammy. This week is only a beginning point to address these issues on a community wide level. Monday (today) there will be a Twitter chat on the #lismentalhealth hashtag at 4 PM PST and there are many other ways you can get involved this week - or staying on the sidelines during various discussions if self care calls for it. Participate on the level that you feel most comfortable doing at this time. More information can be found at http://cecily.info/2015/12/20/announcing-lis-mental-health-week-2016/ and http://kellymce.tumblr.com/post/137514229595/white-text-on-a-pink-background-reading-lis. You can follow the conversation on Twitter at https://twitter.com/hashtag/lismentalhealth?f=tweets&vertical=default&src=hash in addition to content you will see from various blogs, FB updates, and other online sources. Cheers, Becky --------------------------- Becky Yoose Library Applications and Systems Manager The Seattle Public Library [log in to unmask]