This is the first qualitative phenomenological study to investigate the state of leadership in Saudi libraries. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 14 library leaders or section heads in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Library leadership was found to be strongly associated with management skills, visionary thinking, teamwork, and…

Changes and innovations in higher education learning and teaching acted as a catalyst for rethinking the way in which service was delivered to library clients at Australian Catholic University. The Single Service Point was piloted at one campus library in 2014 to develop a best practice approach to service delivery. The merging of cultures within…

As libraries change to meet the evolving needs of our patrons, including the development of online services, many libraries are considering consolidating physical service points to maximize staff and better serve the in-house patron. This article describes the planning, implementation, and evaluation process involved in merging the circulation and…

This study was performed to analyze characteristics of a team-based organization introduced lately to many academic libraries in South Korea. The major areas of exploration included the introduction of the team approach, team empowerment, leadership of team leaders, open communication, and the director's commitment. The study used a survey design…

Proposes use of quality circles (QCs)--groups of employees who meet to learn and apply techniques for solving problems affecting work or workplace--to involve library employees in decision-making process and improve morale and product/service quality. Basic philosophy, establishment of QC, and QC techniques are noted. Twelve references are…

Discussion of productivity in the workplace focuses on libraries, particularly academic libraries. Productivity is defined; opportunities and barriers for productivity in the workplace are explained, including adversity, technology, teamwork, and management styles; and implications for managers are suggested. (16 references) (LRW)

Describes the 16 personality types identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and explores the use of this measure in libraries to help staff better understand themselves and each other, and to aid library administrators in balancing work groups and interacting with staff. A selected bibliography of 3 books, 3 professional manuals, and 2…

Describes the Myers Briggs Personality Type Indicator and examines its use as a management tool for library administrators to build effective work teams. Successful applications of the method are described, its limitations are discussed, and suggestions for the effective use of this tool are offered. (Five references) (CLB)

Describes the North Suburban Library System (Chicago) experience of becoming a Learning Organization which involves issues relating to management, decision making, knowledge transfer, and empowerment at all staff levels. Discusses teamwork, collaborative efforts, communication, information sharing, annual planning, and staff development and…

Describes the design, implementation, and practice of a personnel evaluation method (performance appraisal) at the Cambridgeshire Libraries. Findings reported include staff attitudes and perceptions of the method, and the overall effectiveness of the evaluation scheme. Various theoretical models of appraisal and practical applications in…

Explain's Duke University Library's change from a hierarchical management structure to one of self-managing teams developed within a total quality management (TQM) framework. Emphasizes the personal views and experiences of a manager responsible for implementing and guiding the process of change. (JKP)

W. Edwards Deming condemned performance evaluations as a deadly disease afflicting American management. He argued that performance evaluations nourish fear, encourage short-term thinking, stifle teamwork, and are no better than lotteries. This article examines library literature from Deming's perspective. Although that literature accepts…

Based on experiences at Brandeis University libraries, and findings from management literature, a discussion (with figures) is presented on the challenges faced by libraries in integrating technology and information services. Reviews reasons why change is needed, examines information services as a team-based approach, and presents management…

Discusses special aspects of East Asian collections and explores how organizational changes in academic libraries affect them, based on experiences at the University of Arizona. Considers total quality management; continuous quality improvement; teamwork; staffing changes; specialization versus generalization; budgetary restraints and cost…

Considers the use of Total Quality Management (TQM) tools by library managers to develop quality relationships between staff and customers. Topics include building a shared vision, putting the needs of customers before organizational politics, cooperation between levels of employees, communication, teamwork, trust, redesigning processes and…