(via Paulina Rousseau, University of Toronto Scarborough)
The ACRL CPIG (Contemplative Pedagogy Interest Group) is hosting its Fall/Winter webinar, “Compassion as the Heart of Library Work”.Led by Dan D’Agostino, University of Toronto (retired), the webinar will take place on Wednesday, December 3, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM CDT.
Session Description
In a time of growing disconnection and stress, librarians are often on the front lines of human need, called to respond to their users with patience and care. Yet many of us hesitate to identify our motivation to help as compassion because the word itself can evoke fears of vulnerability or weakness. Drawing on insights from compassion science and ancient contemplative traditions, this talk explores the true nature of compassion, how it is innate and rooted in our common humanity, why it can provoke fear or resistance, and how it forms the foundation of all genuine human relationships. We’ll explore how by training in compassion we also build resilience, since it supports healthier relationships with others, including the public we serve, and with ourselves. Participants will come away with a renewed understanding of how compassion can sustain wellbeing and deepen the human connection at the heart of library work. We’ll also introduce a brief contemplative practice that can be used to help lessen our reactivity when working with difficult patrons.
Presenter Bio.
Dan D’Agostino is a retired academic librarian with more than three decades of experience supporting research and teaching in higher education. In 2019 he certified as a teacher of Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT), a program developed at Stanford University that integrates contemporary psychology and contemplative traditions. His work now focuses on helping people understand compassion not as sentimentality but as a practical, innate capacity that strengthens resilience and deepens our relationships with others and ourselves. Drawing on his background in librarianship, he explores how compassion can enrich public service roles, reduce burnout, and sustain the human heart of professional life.
Register in advance for the meeting here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.