Since the late 1970s, the access services librarian or equivalent position has become commonplace in academic libraries, and degreed professionals have been sought for these positions since the beginning. In 2009, David McCaslin, California Institute of Technology, examined the place of access services in American Library Association-accredited…

Describes four library retreats held by the Bowling Green State University library staff from 1995 to 1998. The retreats reflect changes in library work and management theory that have occurred. The importance of technology to library work is recognized, but there is also a growing realization of the importance of developing a flexible staff…

Urges the design and implementation of strategies in academic libraries for the development of leadership potential. Discusses the components of organizations that lead to organizational maturity, and calls for library leaders with vision, skill, and commitment to nurture an organizational culture that emphasizes leadership development. (20…

A workshop held at the University of California at San Diego's research library focused on improving the quality of goal-based self-reviews as a training approach for performance management. Participants benefited from the mixed groupings of librarians and paraprofessionals and from the detailed look at individual goals and objectives. (three…

Prepared for the 1981 Spring Institute of the Library Association of City University of New York (LACUNY), this bibliography lists sources on academic library management techniques. Its three sections encompass the following areas: (1) the individual's relationship to the library organization, (2) effective management of time, and (3) human…

Discusses the problem of keeping library staff motivated when promotions are not available. Topics addressed include the importance of management training that emphasizes communication skills; alternative ways to help employees grow, including staff development programs, lateral transfers, job rotation, and short-term projects; and helpful…

Examines how library managers can work with staff to make change initiatives more successful, based on cooperative planning experiences at Duke University Library. Focuses on (1) what the worker wants; (2) barriers to workers getting what they want; (3) technology's liberating influence; and (4) recommendations/predictions. (AEF)

The experience of Rutgers University Libraries illustrates the extensive planning, work effort, possibilities, and investment required to develop the digital library. Examines these key areas: organizational structure; staff development needs; facilities and the new digital infrastructure; metadata standards/interoperability; digital collection…

This paper presents a description of the Old Dominion University's (Virginia) Reference Librarian Orientation Program designed to ease the transition of reference librarians new to the school and its reference department. The program introduces the reference librarian to the library, the reference department, and the university itself and consists…

Focuses on the application of the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) in three studies at the Department of Information and Communications, Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom. Examines staff-development needs as a key element in change in higher education; decision-making practices in small- to medium-size libraries; and development…

Based on the comprehensive library self-study method developed by the Association of Research Libraries' (ARL) Office of Management Studies (OMS) and first used as the Management Review and Analysis Project (MRAP), this resource notebook presents surveys and diagnostic aids, OMS self-study reports, and ARL member library documents related to…

Since 1989, the Reference and User Services Association/Management and Operation of User Services Section's Management of Reference Committee has successfully used case studies to foster structured discussions among public service librarians on a wide variety of issues relating to managing change in reference services. The information offered in…

There is mounting concern about the adequacy of both preparatory and continuing professional education of academic librarians. The staff development cost model presented identifies cost categories, provides a method to break down costs per participant, and outlines a technique to compare the cost-effectiveness of different training methods. (CLB)

Emphasizes the necessity for libraries to implement strategic planning for information technology. Topics discussed include assessing strengths and weaknesses; the allocation of resources; an OCLC report that surveyed member libraries to determine their planning activities; long-range planning; the need for flexibility; integrating planning with…

Reports the results of a survey that asked academic librarians where they had acquired their professional knowledge and where they would prefer to acquire it. The discussion covers preferences for skills acquisition through library schools, on the job training, and professional continuing education, and the implications of these preferences for…