Empowering library support staff to prevent role creep in school libraries

Purpose This paper aims to identify and analyse the growing issue of role creep among library support staff in school libraries, where staff are expected to take on additional responsibilities beyond their qualifications and pay grade. Design/methodology/approach Drawing from a decade of industry experience, anecdotal evidence, industry research and job advertisements, this paper explores the issue through the lens of organisational justice and Australia’s Work Health and Safety (Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work) Code of Practice 2024 (Safe Work Australia, 2024). Findings This paper reveals a concerning trend of underqualified staff being tasked with higher-level responsibilities, leading to stress, anxiety and exploitation. The lack of recognition and proper remuneration for these roles contributes to poor organisational justice and psychosocial hazards. The paper concludes with some preliminary ideas about addressing the issue. Originality/value Whilst most advocacy has focused on the precarity of teacher librarians and library managers in school libraries, this paper fills a gap in the current discourse by focusing on the experiences and impacts of role creep on library support staff. It also highlights the need for greater awareness and compliance with existing Australian work health and safety policies and an organisational justice framework to protect library support staff.