Conference on Academic Library Management 2026

The essential activity of recruiting and hiring can be fraught with high levels of stress, anxiety, impersonal formality, and the possibility that anyone involved may dread the unfeeling cold of distant scrutiny and fierce competition. While multiple factors can contribute to discomfort and disconnection, the presenters advocate for an approach that eschews even an accidental running of the gauntlet in favor of interview experiences that intentionally center the whole person. The whole-person approach to hiring both embraces the logistical and legal requirements overseen by Human Resources and incorporates person-centered strategies and when applied across each element in recruitment and hiring, help reduce unnecessary fear or intimidation. By personalizing experiences and applying thoughtful consideration to the holistic experience of each candidate, an organization can invest in their ability to bring their best self to each interaction. This has the potential to make way for a clearer understanding of the expertise, experience, and vision that an individual offers to an organization, and in return, convey what the workplace community offers to prospective colleagues. The presenters—who have served as hiring managers, search committee chairs, and search committee members for a variety of faculty librarian roles— will share why they’ve moved to this approach and what they have learned in three years of refining their whole-person practice. Attendees will receive a foundational understanding of the whole-person approach, including benefits, challenges, and specific, practical strategies for incorporating this philosophy into any hiring opportunity.