Managing Libraries

Movers & Shakers 2013

By LJ on March 13, 2013

Awesome: that’s the best way to describe the 2013 class of Movers & Shakers. This particular group may have more librarians working outside traditional libraries than ever before, attesting to the role librarians, and those in the library field, play in the larger world. Yet whatever their title or workplace, these Movers are making outsize contributions. This latest group of 50 (rolling out over the next week) brings the number of Movers to over 600. The Movers are quick to tell us they’re stand-ins for the many creative, diligent librarians, and others, building the library future. We know there are innumerable talented candidates, and we thank all of you who took the time to send in your nominations.

Filed Under: Careers, Featured, Future of Libraries, LJ in Print, Managing Libraries, Movers & Shakers 2013 Tagged With: Advocates, change agents, community builders, Innovators, marketers, Movers & Shakers 2013, tech leaders

What a $10,000 College Education Says About the Downside of Goals | From the Bell Tower

By Steven Bell on March 6, 2013 3 Comments

Higher education requires cost containment, and recent calls by some governors for a $10,000 diploma sound good, but some goals are doomed to failure. An academic library without a strategic plan is almost unthinkable. Without one how would we share our goals with the world, or whoever cares enough to look? Perhaps we should question the value of all the time spent on developing plans and the goals found in them. Some experts believe the specificity of our strategic plans may actually contribute to decreased levels of productivity. Perhaps there are better ways to devise the roadmap to our intended outcomes.

Filed Under: Academic Libraries, From the Bell Tower, Future of Libraries, Managing Libraries

Is There No “I” in “Teamwork”? | Backtalk

By Maria Bagshaw on March 1, 2013 4 Comments

“We need to work as a team.” “Let’s do it for the good of the team.” “You aren’t working as a team player.” Those phrases can be heard around many offices, often during meetings, in the halls, or from the CEO. Another phrase with which everyone is familiar is “There is no ‘I’ in ‘team’.” Teamwork is undoubtedly an important buzzword in the workplace today. As someone who has often had to be a “solo” presence in my work responsibilities, I have really relished the experiences I have had as a part of team atmosphere. My teamwork experiences have been instrumental in providing opportunities for innovation and growth. That said, I would have to dispute that there is no “I” in teamwork.

Filed Under: Backtalk, Managing Libraries

NYPL, Brooklyn Merge Technical Services

By Meredith Schwartz on February 22, 2013 Leave a Comment

The New York Public Library (NYPL) and Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) will integrate their tech services departments, the libraries announced last week, saving BPL $2 million per year and NYPL about $1.5 million.

Filed Under: Architecture and Buildings, Library Services, Managing Libraries Tagged With: BPL, nypl, technical services

Who Controls Your Usage Data? | Backtalk

By B. Scott Crawford on February 18, 2013 1 Comment

As technology has become central to American life, nearly every organization leverages data to improve its performance. Political campaigns analyze potential voters. Credit-reporting agencies devise algorithms to predict who can repay loans and credit cards. Businesses reach potential customers with highly targeted marketing and advertising messages. Yet when it comes to analyzing their own data, many libraries have not really been able to capitalize on it.

Filed Under: Backtalk, Managing Libraries Tagged With: analytics, APIs, Big Data

Achieving Library Menschness | Not Dead Yet

By Cheryl LaGuardia on February 14, 2013 10 Comments

I was on the Information Desk in Widener today and my friend and colleague, Joshua Parker, stopped by for a moment. It so happens I’ve been looking into MOOCs lately, with special interest in edX and Coursera, and when I saw Josh it occurred to me that he should be teaching a MOOC on supervision [...]

Filed Under: Academic Libraries, Managing Libraries, Not Dead Yet

A Look at “Profiles in Leadership” | Focus on Leadership and Management

By Ernie DiMattia on February 11, 2013 1 Comment

Leadership has become one of the most popular terms when applied to human behavior, particularly with regard to the operation of an organization, the actions of government, or the success of other entities or endeavors. In some cases, it has been used interchangeably with the term management, thus confusing the differentiation commonly cited between the two words.

Filed Under: Careers, Focus on Leadership and Management, Managing Libraries, Opinion Tagged With: Lead the Change

Cornell, Columbia Libraries Integrate Infrastructure

By Meredith Schwartz on January 30, 2013 1 Comment

The libraries at Columbia University and Cornell University will integrate their technical services departments, thanks to a three year, $350,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Said Anne R. Kenney, Cornell’s Carl A. Kroch University Librarian, “Eventually, both units will operate as part of one whole.”

Filed Under: Academic Libraries, Managing Libraries, Organizations & Consortia

Best Small Library in America 2013: Southern Area Public Library, WV

By John N. Berry III on January 25, 2013 10 Comments

The transformation of this smallest library in West Virginia convinced the judges that it is the Best Small Library in America 2013, cosponsored by Library Journal and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Though it has only a service population of 498, the activity, energy, growth, and community engagement of this library helps it rank with the state’s best and brightest. The library is directed by the dynamic Mary Beth Stenger, whose 20-hour workweek probably means she gives three times that much effort to SAPL, Lost Creek, and the surrounding area.

Filed Under: Awards, Featured, Library Services, LJ in Print, Managing Libraries Tagged With: Best Small Library in America, Southern Area Public Library, West Virginia

Leadership vs. Management | Focus on Leadership and Management

By Ernie DiMattia on January 14, 2013 Leave a Comment

Leadership and management are two of the more frequently used terms related to the operation and success of any organization, regardless of its products and/or services. This is especially so in the nonprofit arena, where doing more with less has been the rule over the past several decades. Libraries and information centers are very much a part of this environment, and must be well led and well managed if they are to continue to survive and thrive.

Filed Under: Careers, Focus on Leadership and Management, Managing Libraries, Opinion