Thanks for sharing this, Cherie. Don’t mistake my tone for lack of passion: it’s because I care so much for libraries that I feel the need to do PLN. What neutrality I achieve is there so people can make up their own minds and see the state of libraries for themselves, without my filter. I am sure that many other library workers are in your position, Cherie. I wish you well and that the situation improves soon, both for yourself and for libraries.

The emotions I have felt while affected by this process have, temporarily I hope, prevented me from working, from getting on with my life. In other words I have been in poor mental health for over three years now. I do wonder how many other librarians have been similarly affected. I feel that austerity has been amazingly destructive to many sections of society.