Beyond the Call of Duty: Exploring the Prevalence and Consequences of Self-Sacrifice by Academic Library Leaders

Authors

Kate Tallman, Illinois State UniversityFollow
Susan R. Franzen, Illinois State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Presentation

Conference Name

WAAL 2025

Publication Date

10-2025

Keywords

self-sacrifice, academic, library leaders

Abstract

In the face of limited resources and increasing demand, academic library supervisors often  sacrifice their own time and energy to support employees’ well-being. Self-sacrificial  behavior includes taking on additional responsibilities, being especially “visible” during  crises, and supporting the emotional, physical, or financial needs of employees. Most research on self-sacrificial leadership highlights its positive impact on organizational  culture. But how does it impact library leaders’ mental health, job satisfaction, and/or  attrition? This presentation explores self-sacrificial behavior and concludes with a  discussion of strategies to reset the balance when leaders find themselves going above  and beyond at their own expense.

Funding Source

This research was funded by a University Research Grant from Illinois State University and Milner Library.

Comments

 This presentation was delivered at the Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians (WAAL) 2025 conference in Madison, WI on October 28, 2025.

Recommended Citation

Tallman, Kate and Franzen, Susan R., "Beyond the Call of Duty: Exploring the Prevalence and Consequences of Self-Sacrifice by Academic Library Leaders" (2025). Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library. 292.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/fpml/292