Practical And Effective Management Of Libraries

Aimed at library science students and librarians with newly assigned administrative duties the book is about improving one’s thinking and decision making in a role as a library manager. Most librarians get very little exposure to management issues prior to finding themselves in a management role. Furthermore, most library science students do not expect that they will need to understand management yet they quickly find that there is a need to understand this perspective to be effective at almost any library job. Effective library management is about having some tools to make decisions (such as a basic understanding of management theory and how it applies in the library environment, understanding common traps we all fall into, etc.), knowing yourself, being able to motivate others, fostering a diversity (especially within workgroups), being able to communicate effectively, and having an understanding of one’s organizational culture. The book touches on all of these aspects of library management. Provides a concise understanding of theories from management, psychology, etc. and applies them to practical every day library issues Contains real world cases for considering how theoretical concepts might apply in real library-related situations Cuts out much of the extraneous material often found in books of this kind and focuses more on what you actually need

Tight budgets and smaller staffs have unexpectedly thrust a number of librarians into leadership roles for which they may be unprepared. In this timely new guidebook from experienced library director Richard J. Moniz Jr., both practicing librarians and Library and Information Science (LIS) students are given crucial methods for effective management. Moniz offers tools to improve strategic thinking and enhance decision-making skills, as well as a fundamental explanation of management theory and its practical application in the library environment. There are tips for avoiding common pitfalls, motivating others, fostering diversity, communicating effectively, and understanding the institution's organizational culture.

In addition to providing students with a solid foundation in library management, with its structured, practical knowledge this impressive volume will also benefit experienced managers.

Library work often involves coordinating projects with many tasks and many stakeholders where cost and time limitations can be seen as opportunities. Effective project management is worth learning! This book provides library staffers at every level—whether in public, academic, school or special libraries—with the basic tools of project management so that they can gain confidence and an expectation of success. Part I covers the terminology, the philosophy, the resource management and the return on investment of project management. Part II introduces the basics of the methodology designed by the Project Management Institute. Part III discusses practical techniques for specific types of library projects, gives an introduction to agile management, features success stories in library project management and describes available software. The book includes many examples of project management. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Frankly, it’s not something we like to talk about. There is an unfortunate stigma to acknowledging workplace dysfunction, let alone trying to grapple with the problem. But negative behaviors such as incivility, toxicity, deviant behavior, workplace politics, and team and leadership dysfunction not only make the library a stressful workplace, they also run counter to the core values of librarianship. An important tool for library leaders and managers as well as library staff, this book examines these negative relationship-based issues and suggests practical, research-based solutions by discussing the importance of understanding oneself as related to the library workplace;identifying attributes specific to libraries that foster personal success;showing how organizational dysfunction is rooted in problems such as poor communication, inadequate leadership, and lack of employee engagement;breaking down relatable scenarios to analyze what’s behind them and how to defuse them, ranging from a gossipy coworker who fails to contribute to the organization to workplace bullying and mobbing;exploring causes, results, and potential solutions in the areas of cyberloafing, fraud, theft, and sabotage;delving into the importance of conflict management, surveying a variety of approaches and applications;examining the use of teams in libraries and the impact of favoritism, nepotism, and sexism; andproviding techniques for successful collaboration, leadership, organizational communication, and other key management topics. By tackling the dysfunctional library head on, managers as well as library workers who find themselves in a toxic situation will be poised to better meet library goals and move the library forward.

Looking for tips on how to work towards your overall vision while remaining productive on the frontlines? The book gives you fresh ideas for balancing your managerial duties with day-to-day responsibilities in the academic library. • Presents the first approach to managing, leading, and practicing simultaneously • Incorporates chapters written by 10 different experts from organizations across the country • Addresses the need for professionals with expanding management roles to engage higher administration • Includes a foreword written by a former ALA president

Web 2.0 first created a scramble among librarians to participate in Facebook, YouTube, blogs, and other social media applications, and the turn is now towards management and consolidation. Managing Social Media in Libraries explores the developing information environment, the collaboration among library organizations, and the ways social media may convert the loose connections between library staff members. The book takes librarians beyond the mechanics of using social media, and establishes a framework to move library managers and leaders toward making social media effective. Managing Social Media in Libraries is structured around key topics in this area, including: refocusing after the first use of Web 2.0; library organisations as loosely coupled systems; social media within such systems; defining a purpose for the use of social media; connecting messages and tools; and integrating social media into standard websites. Provides practical ways of thinking about social media for library managers and leaders Provides examples of policies, workflows, and uses of social media tools for library managers and leaders Defines organizations as coordinated systems and discusses how social media tools can emphasize the benefits of coordination