Decisions, decisions, decisions: decision fatigue in academic librarianship

Decision fatigue is the phenomenon in which a large number of decisions or choices made over a period of time hinders the ability to competently make further decisions. While addressed in the literature of other professions, the concept has not been included in the inventory of phenomena that potentially affects librarians. This paper presents the results of a survey which draws attention to decision fatigue and allows academic librarians to recognize the symptoms while suggesting ways to overcome its effects.