Strategic Human Resource Planning For Academic Libraries

Strategic Human Resources Planning for Academic Libraries: Information, Technology and Organization provides an in-depth discussion of human resources as a strategic element of a library organization, especially as staffing needs and competencies change. The book focuses on the impact of human resource practices in a library setting, discussing several aspects, including the role of human resources when the library is part of a larger organization, along with information on how to identify strategic objectives that are expected and related to workforce issues. In addition, the book reviews hiring practices, reorganizations of staff, use of temps or time-limited positions, and how students, volunteers, and internships can make a strategic difference overall. Chapters address competencies across different levels of employment within different library types and consider how those competencies are changing Presents how leadership and library leaders must utilize human resources as a valuable tool for developing a strong and healthy organization Addresses human resource tools, such as job tasks analysis and the creation of equitable payroll structures Demonstrate the use and benefit of multiple employee statuses that provide flexibility and resourcefulness to end users.

Strategic Human Resources Planning for Academic Libraries: Information, Technology and Organization provides an in-depth discussion of human resources as a strategic element of a library organization, especially as staffing needs and competencies change. The book focuses on the impact of human resource practices in a library setting, discussing several aspects, including the role of human resources when the library is part of a larger organization, along with information on how to identify strategic objectives that are expected and related to workforce issues. In addition, the book reviews hiring practices, reorganizations of staff, use of temps or time-limited positions, and how students, volunteers, and internships can make a strategic difference overall. Chapters address competencies across different levels of employment within different library types and consider how those competencies are changing Presents how leadership and library leaders must utilize human resources as a valuable tool for developing a strong and healthy organization Addresses human resource tools, such as job tasks analysis and the creation of equitable payroll structures Demonstrate the use and benefit of multiple employee statuses that provide flexibility and resourcefulness to end users

Human resources are the people who work for the organization; human resource management is really employee management with an emphasis on those employees as assets of the business. In this context, employees are sometimes referred to as human capital. As with other business assets, the goal is to make effective use of employees, reducing risk and maximizing return on investment. Library "staff" refers to all the people employed by a particular library. Libraries have increasing become complex and dynamic organizations that need strategic thinking and more complex processes in order to compete in an environment challenged by technology and independent users. Academic libraries, because of their relationship with a centralized larger institution, can very well overlook the importance of developing their own strategic plans and initiatives for developing personnel and the human role of total operations and relevance to its mission and value added to institutional goals and objectives. Understanding how the human resource components of the organization adds to the dynamics of the library as a whole can offer a higher level of intelligent decision making for the road ahead. In every academic library employee, from the dean or director down to a student assistant, is subject to a number of complicated, confusing, and intertwined employment policies and procedures. Because of the complex interplay of these forces, human resources (HR) management and personnel transactions can seem mysterious or confusing.

Emerging Human Resource Trends in Academic Libraries presents the collective wisdom of human resource librarians and administrators who have been in the forefront of practicing and applying the human resource principles in academic libraries. The book is divided into five Parts: Part I focuses on the present academic library environment and the unique human resource challenges that can be found there. Part II looks at the role of LIS education in preparing Masters level librarians to work within academic libraries and beyond. Part III examines how human resource departments in organizations can continue education beyond the degree for professionals and other staff. Part IV is concerned with how academic libraries show their value to the parent institution. Part V focuses on the library staff roles, how they have changed, and how they are valued in relation to faculty and professional positions. These chapters within each Part represent the emerging trends within academic libraries that impact how librarians are educated, mentored and given the ability to obtain professional development training as incumbent librarians as changes occur in the field. Each chapter is written by a practitioner in HR who has experienced related problems and sought solutions.

In this book, first published in 1989, educators, library administrators, and human resources managers will find helpful insights into the vital role they can play in attracting pro-active people to the profession, changing current library structures and staffing patterns to meet emerging information needs, and developing existing staff to cope with conflicting demands. Contributors to this valuable new book also explore the human resources implications of the changing mission of libraries; the challenges faced by public services; the need to reallocate, reclassify, and retain existing staff; and the increasingly important role that human resources specialists play in libraries in transition.

This book provides a comprehensive look at issues that shape the nature of Human Resources in academic libraries. Libraries in varying academic environments have undergone tremendous change during the last two decades of the 20th century as they have sought redefinition as learning organizations. As organizations they have experienced significant changes in the role and definition of professionalism, along with challenges from such shifting workplace demographics as age and ethnicity and technological issues, which have also had direct impact on the recruitment and retention of staff. Much of the attention of human resources administrators in academic libraries has focused on an array of issues that mirrors concerns across campuses: affirmative action and diversity, the rights of employees with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the impact of the Family Medical Leave Act and other directives on employee benefits, salary equity, and a desire among employees for flexible work schedules.

This book explores recent trends in human resource management practices and presents options for their application within the special context of libraries, especially academic and research libraries. It lays out a set of the most pressing HR management issues facing senior library leaders in the context of continuous organisational change in the 21st century and offers library practitioners effective tips for people management. A practical ‘how-to’ book that provides realistic and proven solutions to real-world challenges Provides examples from organizations to highlight concepts and their applications Summary of key points at the end of each chapter, as well as specific tips in three areas: A – Attention (things to pay attention to); R – Results (initiatives that help to achieve desired results) and T – Techniques (ways to apply the concepts presented.

In this refreshing new volume, strategic planning of budget management is looked at with a broad, positive perspective. Whether because of cuts in funding, enrollment decline, or academic cutbacks, the necessity for strategic planning in a university comes out of unfavorable circumstances. The chapters cover the planning process from start to finish, with an emphasis on a final goal of bringing the library’s status from one of an economic competitor to a deserving equal in the eyes of the academic community. The development of programs and long--term goals for various programs with realistic results in mind are stressed in this timely book. Strategic planning can be an effective managing tool in the midst of uncertainty and constant change. Cooperation, collaboration, and communication are all essentials for reaching this goal, and the authors of the 13 chapters describe in detail past instances in which these were successful. Readers will find that several major themes tie the diverse chapters of this book together, such as becoming successful in applying for limited institutional resources; giving the library’s goals a more prominent position among the members of the campus administration; and using the planning exercise to help the members of the academic community better understand the administrative decision-making process. Written by college and university presidents, campus planners, and librarians, this book clearly outlines the methods and benefits of strategic planning and provides an encouraging picture of what can be achieved when the process is used.