The Public Library Director’s Toolkit, Second Edition

Updated and revised to proactively address the complicated and stressful world that library staff are living in right now, the second edition of this "clear and cogent" (Catholic Library World) resource remains invaluable for new and seasoned public library directors alike.

The landscape has changed greatly since The Public Library Director’s Toolkit was published in 2019. Directors are managing staff who are burned out and may be suffering burnout themselves. They're navigating book challenges and hostile board members. They're being asked to lead with an equity lens—while also keeping the lights on and the budget balanced. Day in and day out they're working hard to serve their communities, often without a mentor and always without enough time in the day. Whether you're pondering a career move, brand new to the library director role, or simply need a reset, this book meets you where you are with real-world advice for the kinds of situations you don’t learn about in library school. Gleaned from their own decades of experience in library leadership positions, in this toolkit the authors provide

• a roadmap to your “first year” on the job, sharing incisive guidance on personnel decisions, budgets, legal compliance, board relations, facilities, technology, community relationships, and other core topics;
• practical wisdom on taking care of yourself so you can sustain your effectiveness over the long haul, along with the reassurance that every director has felt the way you feel right now; 
• pointers on building a culture of learning across your organization and preparing your library (and yourself) for future changes in leadership;
• questions for reflection and role-playing scenarios that will empower you to hone your skills and build your self-confidence; and
• a bevy of ready-to-use tools, templates, checklists, report forms, and other sample documents, updated for this edition.