Fundamentals of Library Supervision

Joan Giesecke · Beth McNeil

Jan 2005 · American Library Association

About this ebook

Annotation. Library managers and supervisors face staffing decisions every day. When priorities change quickly-whether relating to diversity, legal challenges, new technology, or simply a desire to build an exciting team and bring people together to do their best-it takes more than good intentions to achieve results. Two experienced library managers explain how to create a productive workplace, as they weave practical advice and expert commentary into an easy-to-use resource. Drawing both from common sense and from the experience and insights of the pros, they address an increasingly turbulent library environment. They focus on daily, real-world practices with specific strategies for brand-new supervisory staff and proven advice on practical supervisory issues like hiring, firing, interviewing, and training. Guiding supervisors through the intricate process of managing others, this comprehensive handbook addresses the fundamental issues facing new managers. It also serves as a welcome refresher and reference for experienced managers facing new challenges in the complex and changing environments in their libraries. ... Adapted from cover.

About the author

Joan Giesecke is Dean of Libraries at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She joined UNL in 1987 and became dean in 1996. Prior to this, she was the Associate Dean for Collections and Services. She has held positions at George Mason University, Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, and the American Health Care Association. She received a doctorate in public administration from George Mason University, an MLS from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree in management from Central Michigan University, and a BA in economics from SUNY at Buffalo. Giesecke’s research interests include organizational decision-making and management skills. She has developed a training program for managers and has presented a variety of papers on management and supervisory skills. She is a former editor of Library Administration and Management Journal and has published numerous articles on management issues. Her books include Practical Help for New Supervisors, Scenario Planning for Libraries, Practical Strategies for Library Managers, and Academic Librarians as Emotionally Intelligent Leaders. Beth McNeil is professor and dean of the library at Iowa State University. Prior to joining Iowa State in 2015, she served in associate dean roles at Purdue University and at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She received a PhD in human sciences with a leadership focus from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and an MS degree in library and information science and an AB degree in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her publications include Patron Behavior in Libraries (1996) and Human Resource Management in Today's Academic Library (2004).