The article examines some of the non-routine challenges that an academic library director can expect to deal with during his or her career. Each challenge is discussed in a paragraph or two, beginning by characterizing the challenge as an animal that serves as a metaphor for unusual but nonetheless important conditions that can, sooner or later,…

Reactionary stances against pending budget cuts should be considered to be less favorable positioning for library leaders versus more proactive and anticipatory strategies. By changing the attitudinal and service posturing of library staff and services, libraries can show themselves as a more essential function to their colleges. Budget cuts…

There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to add copies of textbooks to a library's holdings. These include monetary, security, and other issues. There is also the question of electronic reserve. A major problem could be that students would try to rely only on the library copies rather than purchasing their own, making these…

Frederick Winslow Taylor (1856-1915) was an efficiency expert whose concerns were less about avoiding worker fatigue and more about increasing profit margins by any means necessary. Taylor was devoted to finding the One Best Way to carry out a task and then training workers to do that task unvaryingly; attempts by employees to improve their own…

This article discusses the sad state of affairs in academic recruitment and retention--of library upper management. Anyone who has taken part in searches for library directors or deans knows frustration first-hand. At times there may be more open leadership positions around the country than there are applicants for them (any applicants whatsoever,…

The librarian for the Stevens-Henager College, Murray, Utah campus was hired in the spring of 2008 and given the task of maintaining and improving the college's library and bookstore. It was soon discovered that many areas needed improvement (processes, outreach, policies, personnel, work-flow, etc.) Fortunately, she possessed skills from previous…

Campus librarians play a central role in conversations revolving around copyright compliance. The sheer volume of information provided within library physical and virtual spaces affirms the role libraries play in current copyright debates. Regardless of the function of librarians on any particular campus, it is important to confront the myriad of…

Reference desk scheduling is one of the most challenging tasks in the organizational structure of an academic library. The ability to turn this challenge into a workable and effective function lies with the scheduler and indirectly the cooperation of all librarians scheduled for reference desk service. It is the scheduler's sensitivity to such…

Beginning in 1994, a series of collection analysis and assessment projects of community college library/LRC collections in Florida has been conducted by the College Center for Library Automation (CCLA). The purpose of the assessments conducted through LINCC, the network for Florida community colleges, was to provide data for improvement of…

Explores the concept and definition of best practice and how it relates to organizational concepts such as benchmarking, leadership, innovation, and managing change. Describes the six steps of best practice: (1) identifying areas of need; (2) assessing the need areas; (3) establishing profiles; (4) looking beyond the organization; (5) establishing…

Discusses the use of quality circles within the college library. Defines a quality circle; examines the history, philosophy, characteristics, and objectives of quality circles; discusses the relationship of quality circles with library management; and explains their creation, implementation, benefits and limitations. (DMM)

Noise in a community college library can be part of the nature of the environment. It can also become a huge distraction for those who see the library as their sanctuary for quiet study and review of resources. This article describes the steps that should be taken by library staff in order to be proactive about noise and the library environment,…

Finds librarians increasingly dependent upon vendors to provide the information needed to make decisions regarding such diverse activities as microform conversion, storage, and library security. Explains the differences between the librarian's needs and the vendor's needs, concluding that a slightly adversarial relationship is healthy. (DMM)

The experiences of a first-time community college library director during the initial three months on the job are detailed. The process of automation software migration is used as a vehicle for demonstrating activities performed to improve knowledge. Marketing, customer service, and identification of core library supporters are addressed. Concern…

This paper describes the many difficulties of a newly founded satellite branch library to evolve into an independent college library within sixteen years. Changing roles and priorities are discussed, as well as the influence of the accrediting agency on this small California community college library. (Contains 3 notes.)