During the month of April, I’ll be participating in the 2017 Blogging from A to Z Challenge. For this year’s theme, I chose to look at leadership qualities as I’ve just recently (within the past 6 months) become the director of my public library. We have about 50 staff members, most of whom are part-time employees serving a 30,000 resident community by providing high-quality programs and resources. Each day, I’ll look at one trait and how it’s helped me to become a better director. Another important partner in looking for quiet, is finding rest. And this doesn’t come a moment too soon as I have a massive fundraising book sale all weekend and it will be difficult to find time to get that rest. I try and make a conscience effort to work over time as my library needs me to, but also try and take time when I work overtime to keep an equal work-life balance. I’ll be working extra hours Friday night, Saturday and Sunday this weekend, but also expect to take a few hours off throughout the following week. I also think it’s important to show my work-life balance to my staff, so they know how important I value rest and taking care of oneself. The library tends to offer more and more programs and resources which means that staff has to plan, promote, and execute these programs for our residents – which means, as the director, it’s my job to make sure my staff is taking the time they need to rest and keep a work-life balance that allows for their best work at the library and their best selves for themselves and their families.