Administration | Management
This collection invites readers to reimagine what effective leadership in libraries looks like, sharing both inspiration and practical guidance for those committed to creating more just and inclusive libraries.
This book is for academic library directors and leadership teams as well as those at the start of their careers in academic libraries.
Learn concrete steps for creating and maintaining a supportive, productive work environment that supports well-being among library staff.
Most libraries in the US are small in size and rural in location. And, since most of them don’t require a degree to be hired as Library Director, many new hires step into the position with limited management or librarianship experience. This handbook will quickly get new directors up to speed on managing staff, drafting budgets, crafting policies, overseeing a building and its collections, and strengthening the library’s place in the community. The authors, with years of small library management experience between them, offer expert guidance on all those topics and many more besides. Small public library directors at all stages of their career, as well as their board members and library trustees, will
- benefit from this handbook’s up-to-date perspectives on what it takes to run your library in today’s post-pandemic, politically polarized, technologically advanced, socially isolated world;
- receive to-the-point advice on governance, strategic planning, human resources, policy development, facilities, services and programs, and other foundational tasks;
- become informed on how to safeguard intellectual freedom, handle challenges to materials and programming, and protect patron privacy;
- get pointers on broadening their personal network, understanding what outside resources are available, and spearheading effective advocacy and community engagement;
- learn from real-life “Success Stories” and “On the Job” words of wisdom sprinkled throughout the text; and
- find adaptable templates, self-enrichment activities, and other tools to facilitate ongoing professional development.
Readers will be equipped to assess their own library, talk about challenges with more confidence, and make concrete changes to improve diversity and inclusion.
Offering a previously unexplored way for academic library managers to frame their work, this book investigates the ways in which person-centered management can close the gap between managers and other library staff.
"Essential reading for librarians with any type or scale of library building project in their futures." — Library Journal
This newly updated and revised resource is an indispensable tool for any construction or renovation project regardless of size or complexity.
"With detailed examples, resources, and a comprehensive exploration of the topic, this work serves as a valuable tool for library science students and professionals seeking to build stronger networks within the field."
— School Library Journal
"A valuable purchase for any public library professional collection, aspiring directors, or students interested in public library work.”
— Catholic Library World
"While concise, this book is rich in ideas ... Recommended as an essential and practical resource for libraries to provide a healthy, sustainable workspace." — Library Journal
Put equity and inclusion values into practice through programs, services, spaces, and decisions that center and empower communities.
"Copper writes in an engaging and practical way to inspire special librarians to experiment with their libraries as an impactful change agent." — Information Outlook
