Balancing Baby and Book Discussion Group

To create a discussion forum for academic librarians on the challenges and opportunities present in being or preparing to become a parent while continuing to work and/or maintain a career track. The discussion group will be an opportunity to share knowledge and experience about work related issues, for example library and university policies and procedures (leave, tenure, etc), managing expectations of colleagues, and negotiating agreements with supervisors, and parenting related issues, for example finding quality day care, managing yours and your partners expectations, and spending quality time with your child(ren). Discussions at ALA conferences will give participants an opportunity to learn from both experienced parents and new parents while also provide a forum for open conversations with library administrators and colleagues about the positive and negative effects parenthood can have on work performance and career.