The Next Library Leadership - Attributes of Academic and Public Library Directors (Paperback, New)

This much needed work addresses a topic of increasing importance and urgency: the shortage of individuals attracted to professional careers in librarianship, and the subsequent consequences for leadership positions, particularly library directorship. Through extensive interviews and a thorough review of the existing literature, the authors-all highly respected for their exceptional leadership and contributions to library science-assess what constitutes effective leadership and identify the traits needed by the next generation of academic and public library directors. The authors argue that library directors must be both managers and leaders, and that LIS students and graduates need appropriate support in seeking out upper level positions and exercising leadership. They present tools for assessing leadership and suggest strategies that individuals can use to prepare themselves for leadership positions and the challenges that lie ahead. A detailed bibliography completes the work. Chapters include: A Shortage of Librarians Qualities Expected of Library Directors: A Review of the Literature Qualities for ARL Directors Qualities for ACRL Directors Qualities for Public Library Directors Analysis and Comparison of Qualities Leadership Assessment Acquiring the Qualities Hunting Heads and Final Reflections An important contribution to the field of library and information science, this eye-opening study is essential reading for anyone in the profession.