Supervision and Management

Many library support staff (LSS) who do not have management training will assume supervisory roles in library services during their careers. This book is written to help LSS understand, support, and apply the basic principles of library supervision and management in their work on the topics of regulations and bylaws hiring, staff performance expectations, leadership and professional learning. Readers will learn how to engage in effective decision-making and participate in productive library meetings. The importance of library policies, and procedures are explained through many practical examples.

The scope of the book addresses many different aspects and examples of library management and how LSS can seek supportive roles to enhance library services and programs. Chapters are written on these topics:
Basic regulations and bylawsPrinciples of managementHiringStaff performance expectationsLeadership, professional learningLibrary policies and proceduresThe book also addresses budget, fundraising and grants, partnerships, community demographics, marketing, goal management, customer service, conducting meetings, and effective decision-making. This book is aligned with the revised ALA- LSSC competency standards for management and supervision, and may be used as a textbook by instructors of Library Science programs or as a reference manual for library support staff who are learning on the job about the ever changing environment of working with others.

Author Biography

Dr. Marie Keen Shaw is the author of the books Cataloging Library Resources: An Introduction, Library Technology and Digital Resources: An Introduction for Support Staff, Block Scheduling and Its Impact on School Library Media Centers; and the dissertation Teachers’ Learning of Technology: Key Factors, Supports and Processes Based on the Principles of Adult Learning. She currently is the Library Technology program coordinator and co-teaches an ALA-LSSC approved course Introduction to Management Strategies (LIB K127) at Three Rivers Community College in Norwich, CT. Dr. Shaw has broad experience in teamwork as a high school library director and curriculum instructional leader, as well as serving in leadership roles on library boards both locally and statewide.

Hali Keeler, MLS, MA, is the author of the books Working with Collections: An Introduction for Support Staff, Foundations of Library Public Services: An Introduction for Support Staff, and Library Technician Training programs: Library Mosaics Magazine. She is the former Coordinator for the Library Technology Certificate Program at Three Rivers Community College (2003-2011) and has been an Adjunct Professor since 1998. She teaches courses in Public Services, Technical Services, and Management Strategies. In addition to library instruction, Ms. Keeler worked as a Children’s Librarian and is the retired Executive Director of a public library. She has been a speaker and presenter at library conferences and workshops and has served in leadership roles on library boards and committees at the state and local levels.