Burnout among bibliographic instruction librarians

The literature of library and information science suggests that bibliographic instruction (BI) librarians are at risk for burnout, a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and loss of a sense of personal accomplishment. To assess the extent and nature of burnout in this group, the author administered the Maslach Burnout Inventory and a Role Questionnaire to BI librarians in comprehensive and liberal arts colleges in New England, using a mailed survey. Analysis of the survey data indicated that BI librarians experience burnout, with 52.8% reporting high burnout in one dimension of the syndrome and 8.5% showing high burnout In all three dimensions. Role conflict contributes to emotional exhaustion and depersonalization dimensions of burnout. Follow-up interviews explored the nature of the role conflict experienced by survey respondents.