ALA Annual 2014 - The Role of the Professional Librarian in Technical Services 20140628

“And now for my next trick…”Transforming the Role of the Professional Librarian

in Technical Services

Access available handouts at ala.14.ala.org/sessions/handouts.

What Are the Odds?

• Key role remains unchanged– Connecting people with information– Mediators for collections regardless of format

• What are employers looking for right now?– Required:

• Knowledge of new/ multiple schemas/ standards, integrated library systems and digital repositories

• Programming/ coding skills

– Highly desirable: • Project management/ supervisory experience• Great communicators (written, oral, and by action)• Ability to be an innovative leader and motivator• Capable of setting short-term and long-term goals


Gaming the System: General Advice

• Attitude is everything!– Energize your environment– Commit to lifelong learning– Be open to new ideas– Be willing to change your mind– Help others and they will help you– Own your mistakes– Never give up– Trust your instincts– Be passionate, genuine, and credible– Model the behavior you want to see– Value everyone for what they bring to the table– Volunteer as much as possible– Remember that management of others is about them, not you


Hedge Your Bets: Count The Cards

• Habits of great leaders…– Act as role models– Address problems– Ask honest questions– Are positive, respectful, and fair– Communicate and keep staff informed– Consider change the norm and initiate it– Listen and respond appropriately

• Formal vs. Informal Communication– Actions

• If you can’t say it, show it

• Take a walk (MBWA)– Oral

• ‘I’ statements• “Who would like to…?”

– Written• Consider your audience• Keep it short and to the point • Read it out loud


Highrollers: Administrators, Managers, Staff

• Good strategic planning coordinates vision, workflow, and competencies– Get everyone involved in the planning process before moving forward– Inventory experience, dispositions, and needs– Develop plans based on personal qualities & extant/ potential talents– Create specific objectives & goals for your library/ department/ group

• Values → Vision → Mission

• Think SOAR (not SWOT)– Stories of success– Opportunities available to us– Aspirations for the future– Resources available and needed


Balancing Act: What Works Best for the Library

• Organizational culture– Management style(s)

• Information dissemination → Seek transparency• Consultation → Seek input• Participation → Engage staff at all levels

– Training and appraisal tools

• Institutional knowledge• Group dynamics

– Interview everyone • Ask about personal/ professional interests/ goals, functions within library

– Develop plans based on personal qualities and extant/ potential talents– Maneuver vertically and horizontally


Wheel of Fortune: Red or Black?

• Training opportunities (external & internal)– Individual hands-on sessions– Instruction Lab experience for specialized groups – On-site, vendor-provided consultations– Online documentation– Static and interactive tutorials– Live online training (webinars, webcasts, teleconferences)– Certification programs– Staff retreats

• Learning styles– Preferences don’t change – Adapt accordingly!

• Creative planning– Marriage of organizational goals and staff values


Best Practices: A Training Map

• Assess needs of the organization and individuals• Deliver assessments with care• Maximize learner choice• Link learning goals to personal values• Foster a positive relationship between trainers

and learners• Set clear goals and break them up into

manageable steps• Provide opportunities to practice• Give performance feedback• Evaluate outcomes


Roll the Dice: Calculating Risks

• Step 1. Locate the problem and isolate the issues.– Communication process? Personnel? Workflow? Liability?

• Step 2. Implement the proposed solution.

• Step 3. Work collaboratively to prevent problems.

• Step 4. Encourage others to detect problems outside your immediate purview and keep you informed.

• Step 5. (Un)meet with all involved parties to follow up.


Double Down: Minimize Anxiety

• Reduce anxiety created by shifting roles…– Involve work groups in the planning process– Work with individuals and groups to create a shared vision– Skills training will increase staff self-confidence and willingness to engage

in new endeavors– Staff will feel more secure trying new behaviors if trust is present– Foster a culture of team learning that allows employees to discuss what

works and what needs improvement


• Mentoring and coaching• Alternatives?

– Flexible schedule, interesting assignments– Job rotation, enrichment, enlargement

• Enrichment– Develop challenging & rewarding jobs– Encourage staff to voice opinions and actively support their efforts to improve

workflow processes– Provide continuing education that meets employees’ self-development needs– Share feedback in a positive, constructive manner– Make staff feel appreciated– Address stressful situations that can lead to dissatisfaction or burnout– Avoid the “double standard” that can lead to alienation of support staff

Full Hand, High Stakes: Motivation


Resources: Jackpot!Aho, Melissa K., Editor. (2013) The Machiavellian Librarian : Winning Allies, Combating Budget Cuts, and Influencing Stakeholders. Chandos information professional series; Chandos Publishing, Oxford ; Philadelphia. (ISBN 9781843347552)

Christopher, Connie. (2003) American Library Association: Chicago, Illinois (ISBN 083890586)

Cohn, John M. and Ann L. Kelsey. (2005) Staffing the Modern Library: A How-To-Do-It Manual. Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc. New York, London (ISBN 1555705111)

Farrell, Robert and Kenneth Schlesinger, Editors. (2013) Managing in the Middle: The Librarian’s Handbook. ALA Guides for the Busy Librarian. American Library Association: Chicago, Illinois (ISBN 9780838911617)

Gordon, Rachel Singer. (2005) The Accidental Library Manager. Information Today, Inc. Medford, New Jersey. (ISBN 1573872105)

Hakala-Ausperk, Catherine. (2011) Be A Great Boss: One Year to Success. ALA Guides for the Busy Librarian. American Library Association: Chicago, Illinois (ISBN 9780838910689)

Hakala-Ausperk, Catherine. (2013) Build A Great Team: One Year to Success. ALA Guides for the Busy Librarian. American Library Association: Chicago, Illinois (ISBN 9780838911709)

Houghton-Jan, Sarah. (2010) Technology Training in Libraries. Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc. New York, London (ISBN 9781555707064)

Kane, Laura Townsend. (2011) Working in the Virtual Stacks: The New Library & Information Science. American Library Association: Chicago, Illinois (ISBN 9780838911037)

Massis, Bruce E. (2003) The Practical Library Manager. The Haworth Information Press; New York, London. (ISBN 0789017652)

Wilson, Lucile. (1996) People Skills for Library Managers: A Common Sense Guide for Beginners. Libraries Unlimited, Inc., Englewood, Colorado. (ISBN 1563081431)


Questions? Comments? Ideas?

Stephanie P. HessElectronic Resources LibrarianBinghamton UniversityGlenn G. Bartle Library4400 East Vestal ParkwayVestal, NY [email protected] 607-777-2474

mailto:[email protected]

ALA Annual 2014 - The Role of the Professional Librarian in Technical Services 20140628

Leadership & Management

Transcript of ALA Annual 2014 - The Role of the Professional Librarian in Technical Services 20140628