Workplace Belonging Through Job Satisfaction: The Experience of Community College Library Staff

The purpose of this study was to explore job satisfaction and workplace belonging as experienced by full-time community college library staff. The study followed a qualitative collective case study approach with semi-structured interviews as the primary data collection method. The theoretical framework for this study was belongingness theory, and the study was conducted through the lens of the social constructivist paradigm. The study included multiple settings in libraries located in community colleges in the United States. Convenience and criterion sampling were used to identify study participants. Data analysis revealed key themes including the intrinsic value of meaningful work, the influence of workplace relationships and dynamics, the critical but precarious role of leadership in shaping library staff experiences, and the impact of academia’s hierarchy on the experience of library staff. The findings indicate that while library staff derive job satisfaction from the meaningful nature of their work and the status of libraries as institutions, systemic challenges often detract from their sense of belonging. Workplace relationships emerged as both a potential source of support and strain, with positive connections contributing to resilience and negative dynamics exacerbating existing frustrations. This study also highlighted the pivotal role of leadership in shaping staff experiences through their influence on workplace culture and employee recognition. This research contributes to the literature on workplace belonging and job satisfaction in academic libraries by illuminating the unique contextual factors present in community college library setting.