Conference on Academic Library Management 2026

When I overheard my daughter, playing with her dolls, declare proudly, “I’m a department head and a mom,” I didn’t know how to feel. Does my work as a library leader intrude so noticeably on family life that my 4-year-old is playing ‘university’? Am I succeeding as a role model and breadwinner if my daughter sees leadership as something worth including in her play? Is it both? Neither?

The U.S. workforce—and higher ed in particular—aren’t easy environments for mothers to navigate. Structures built to accommodate cis male bodies don’t work for fertility treatments, pregnancy, breastfeeding, sleepless nights, and the intangible magic that—for whatever reason—prompts so many children to reach again and again for mama. On top of this, leadership roles require us to be present, emotionally engaged, and unfailingly committed to our organizations. The exhausting reality for many women and non-binary people is that combining leadership, motherhood, and academia can be draining, lonely work. And yet, for many of us, it is work worth doing.

In this session, participants will share and explore our own lived experiences as academic librarian-mothers in leadership roles, breaking down the intense isolation that often comes with these positions. Discussion may include logistical, physical, and emotional challenges, as well as solutions and opportunities for solidarity and support. This is an interactive session where we will prioritize empathy, care, and safety.

All gender and family identities are welcome in this inclusive, support- and solutions-oriented conversation.