The path towards leadership starts with you. But you don't have to go it alone. For this book, the authors sat down with many of the library leaders they most admire for a series of conversations about the aspects of the job that they find the most fascinating (and challenging). Much like the chats you might have over coffee at a conference or…

The modern school library is a complex social setting "grounded in standards and best practice" (AASL 2018). The new "National School Library Standards" have refreshed the student learning standards and aligned new Shared Foundations to the school library. Additionally, the competencies for learners are now complemented by…

Family engagement is a shared responsibility among families, educators, and communities to support children's learning and development. For families, it is about the knowledge, attitudes, values, and behaviors that enable children to be motivated, enthusiastic, and successful learners. For libraries, this means having respectful partnerships with…

When the author attended a leadership conference last year, she started to reflect on her own situation. In this article, the author reflects on her experience and her role as a library media specialist who wants to be a leader in her school. However, to be a leader in a school, one has to offer a set of skills and abilities that others aren't…

If you're new to running a library or looking for a refresher, this book can serve as your first reference source for school library operation, providing overview information on a wealth of topics, lists of resources for more in-depth information, and coverage of current topics such as Web 2.0, fundraising, digital booktalks, and cybersafety.…

Libraries and library faculty play a significant role in supporting college curriculum and helping students succeed academically. In particular, libraries are the primary location both physically and remotely for supporting faculty and students in their research and information needs. Over the years, this role of libraries and library faculty has…

Discusses three major motivations for in-house library research--planning, problem solving, and staff development--in terms of the functions and responsibilities of library management. Ten stages in a research project are identified and management contribution to each is described. It is concluded that the role of management is critical.…

Description of rationale for faculty status for academic librarians encompasses principles of academic freedom and tenure, collegial governance, standards for job evaluation. Progress toward full faculty status at University of Illinois from 1970 to present is described, including library administration, policies, work schedules, and librarian…

Describes an effort by the Illinois Library Association to encourage and coordinate the continuing professional development of Illinois librarians through a Mentoring Network. The pilot project proposal is outlined, and the current situation is described. (eight references/notes) (EA)

This report begins by noting that, in the interests of developing a vigorous and professionally active library faculty, a major goal of the James White Library (Andrews University, Michigan) is to recruit, retain and promote librarians who are highly self-motivated and have the ability to support the mission of the library. It then provides…

Discusses the need for strong leadership in libraries. Topics include the distinction between management and leadership; myths about leadership; leading change; expected qualities of effective leaders, including creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship, planning, and communicating; and librarian's opportunities for leadership development. (LRW)

Mentoring is of proven benefit to a variety of organizations, including academic libraries. A formal mentoring program for library faculty in a medium-sized academic library was created to take advantage of what is offered. Goals and objectives were established, the responsibilities of mentor, protege, and the professional stakeholders were…

Reflects on the outcomes of a project undertaken in 1997-98 and examines issues relating to the development of the managerial expertise that underpins the library and information services in Latin America and the Caribbean. Reviews the literature, summarizes results of surveys of schools of Librarianship and Information Sciences and a small…

Users Council has proven itself to be a critically important element in the Online Computer Library Center's (OCLC) organizational structure. In fulfilling its combined roles, Users Council has provided a national forum for articulating member library interests to OCLC as well as a training ground for preparing individuals with library expertise…

Toni Garvey, director of the Phoenix Public Library (PPL) and LJ 2004 Librarian of the Year, has practiced her profession in a Western county jail, for the politicized board of a Southern public library, in the children's room of a university community, and through the up and down economics of a major American city. She has managed branches and…