Overview
Examine the nuts and bolts of successful management in today’s rapidly evolving libraries!
This book is an essential primer for new library managers and directors. In addition to providing an overview of the practical aspects of management, it is a vital reference tool for managing your library and its staff. The Practical Library Manager’s informative text and comprehensive bibliographies of print and electronic resources can guide you to solutions to the issues that every fledgling library manager must deal with upon appointment.
While there are many publications on library management, The Practical Library Manager is one of very few to focus on the practical issues of staffing and the importance of continuous staff training. Also, unlike other books on the subject, this book features a chapter that points you to relevant management texts originally written for the corporate world rather than the library profession.
The Practical Library Manager is the perfect single source to help you:
- understand the challenges of staffing your library and training your staff
- explore new technology’s impact on library workers and evaluate training programs to help them keep up
- ensure that your staff has the core competencies they’ll need in the current climate
- build a “virtual library”
- decide whether your library should join a consortium
- and much more!
Synopsis
Massis (associate director, Southeast Florida Library Information Network) provides much useful information for the library manager. The initial chapters outline the pertinent issues to keep in mind when building the library's staff, training program, technology training program, electronic collection, and consortium with other libraries. Appendices provide lists of ALA accredited library schools, various surveys testing technology and other needs, and an extensive bibliography. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Heidi L. Marshall, MLS, AHIP(Washington Hospital)
Description:Bruce E. Massis has provided a book intended to serve as a guide for the planning and implementation of a viable library. The unique element here is the provision of Web sites for the reader.
Purpose:This book is primarily designed for librarians who are new in the field. Basic library management skills are still needed whether it be in public, private, or academic settings. This book adequately meets those needs.
Audience:It is basic enough for student use, but the direction is for the graduate librarian who is already working in the field. The author is a respected library manager with two decades of experience, making him a credible authority for this particular book.
Features:The book focuses on practical library management. It covers staffing, teamwork, technology, training, and consortia. The best feature is the straightforward direction the author takes. At 95 pages in length, the book establishes key information quickly. Appendix A, which lists ALA accredited library schools throughout the country, is a particularly good feature. A possible shortcoming of the book is its abbreviated length. There is opportunity for more information to be included.
Assessment:The quality of this book is very good. It is a useful companion tool for the new library manager. The author has shared his two decades of experience in one book, which has its place on the shelves of a information manager's library management collection.
Editorials
Reviewer: Heidi L. Marshall, MLS, AHIP(Washington Hospital)
Description: Bruce E. Massis has provided a book intended to serve as a guide for the planning and implementation of a viable library. The unique element here is the provision of Web sites for the reader.
Purpose: This book is primarily designed for librarians who are new in the field. Basic library management skills are still needed whether it be in public, private, or academic settings. This book adequately meets those needs.
Audience: It is basic enough for student use, but the direction is for the graduate librarian who is already working in the field. The author is a respected library manager with two decades of experience, making him a credible authority for this particular book.
Features: The book focuses on practical library management. It covers staffing, teamwork, technology, training, and consortia. The best feature is the straightforward direction the author takes. At 95 pages in length, the book establishes key information quickly. Appendix A, which lists ALA accredited library schools throughout the country, is a particularly good feature. A possible shortcoming of the book is its abbreviated length. There is opportunity for more information to be included.
Assessment: The quality of this book is very good. It is a useful companion tool for the new library manager. The author has shared his two decades of experience in one book, which has its place on the shelves of a information manager's library management collection.
Library Journal
Adding to the growing library management genre, Massis (MLS, associate director, Southeast Florida Lib. Information Network) focuses on two concepts: employees are the library manager's most important asset, and the idea of "practical" should direct actions in today's climate of change. Instead of a broad-brushed theoretical management study, Massis's brief, useful primer is targeted primarily at those new to management. Concentrating on planning, implementing, and evaluating library staff training while embracing change, his chapters cover the challenge of staffing, the impact of technology on staffing, building core staff competencies, training library staff, providing technology training to staff, integrating the Internet inside the library, understanding the role of the virtual library, working with library consortia, and developing library donor networks. Especially helpful are the annotated listing of a dozen management "classics," such as Peter Drucker's The Frontiers of Management and Tom Peters's Thriving on Chaos, and the super bibliography of numerous web sites, books, and periodicals on management and its library applications. Massis's handy guide can also serve as supplemental reading for MLIS students. Recommended for all public libraries and MLIS programs.-Dale Farris, Groves, TX Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.3 Stars from Doody