Time to play, access to attention: Addressing one academic library’s internal culture around computing tools and skills

Abstract

Library employees who try developing their skills with computing tools need to practice in order to use their learning in their work. However, time and space for practice may be elusive. Employees will meet frustration when applying emerging knowledge to problems on the fringes of their learning. Libraries can cultivate employees’ budding computing and data skills by sponsoring time to practice, holding space for peers to support each other, and normalizing the struggle inherent in learning and applying digital tools and methods.