Dynamic Leadership and Management of Libraries/Learning Commons

DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF LIBRARIES/LEARNING COMMONSby Ana Maria B. Fresnido, DLSU Librariesana.fresnido@dlsu.edu.ph

Managing Today’s Learning Commons: Re-skilling Seminar for Information Professionals20-22 September 2016Crown Legacy Hotel, Baguio City

MAJOR CHALLENGES OF ACADEMIC LIBRARY LEADERSHIP

demonstrate the library vaues to the university community

operate the library under fiscal uncertainty

retrofit outdated library facilities to accommodate new services

strike a balance between digital and print materials

keep the library staff trained and current

Binh, P.L. (2015)

LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES

ESSENTIAL ACADEMIC LIBRARY LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES

Attributes   SourceCollaboration skills Binh, P.L.  Communication skills Binh, P.L. Chow, A.S. & Rich,

M.Creativity   Chow, A.S. & Rich,

MDelegation   Chow, A.S. & Rich,

MEmpathy   Chow, A.S. & Rich,

MFlexibility   Chow, A.S. & Rich,

MIntegrity Binh, P.L. Chow, A.S. & Rich,

MManagement skills Binh, P.L.  Passion   Chow, A.S. & Rich,

MVision Binh, P.L. Chow, A.S. & Rich,

M

VISIONBe a visionaryUnderstand the library and university environment and articulate a vision based on them. Conduct constant environmental scanning

Set a clear direction

Take strategic actionPersuade and guide others to a strategic vision and the goals and objectives

MY VISION– A WORLD CLASS LIBRARY

THE STAFFTHEN NOW

THE SERVICE

THE LIBRARY BUILDINGTHEN NOW

THE PROGRAMS

INTEGRITYBe honest – sharing information and transparencyBe trustworthy – treat people fairlyBe a thought-leader (authoritative and influential)Have integrity/honesty/trustworthiness/authenticityBe responsible steward of financial, human, and tangible (facilities and collections) resources

THE IDEAL LEADER

COMMUNICATION SKILLSHave excellent communication skills (oral and written)Be a good listenerListen more and talk less

Be willing to accept criticismHave good negotiation skills

MANAGEMENT SKILLSGood management skills (personnel management, budgeting, time management, planning, etc.)Apply business concepts and practices to improve library experience

Make difficult decisions about core mission and priorities within the libraryPresence – be the face of the library and share this role with other library staffMonitor the trends and predict their impact on the library

GOOD MANAGEMENT SKILLS

BUSINESS CONCEPT APPLIED TO LIBRARIES --THE ONE-STOP SHOP CONCEPT

DIFFICULT DECISIONS

THE FACE OF THE DLSU LIBRARIES

TREND – NAPPING STATION

COLLABORATION

Collaborate

Build collaborative relationships to

leverage institutional resources to advance the

library

Have the ability to seek out partners and to collaborate

Build teams – internal and

external collaboration

Have a consultative approach,

including the ability to work well

with others

CONSORTIA AND LINKAGES AUNILO, Libraries of ASEAN University Network South Manila Educational Consortium in the Philippines American Corners European Studies Consortium Inter-University Consortium CEAP Consortium of Engineering Libraries, Philippines (CELPh) DOST-ESEP

LIBRARY COMMITTEESBibliographic

Control

Public Programs and Events/Facilities Management

Information Literacy

Collection Development

Community Engagement

Internship (on-the-job

training)/Staff Development

Knowledge Management

Information Communication Technologies

(ICT)

Project Monitoring Accreditation Facilites

INTERNAL-EXTERNAL PARTNERS FOR THE OUTREACH PROGRAM

De La Salle Philippines (DLSP), Library Committee•De La Salle Philippines is committed to building up educational communities that demonstrate commitment to young people, especially those who are poor, by providing them with access to a human and Christian education that enables them to participate in the transformation of society.

National Library of the Philippines. Children’s Library•The Children's Library promotes the importance and enjoyment of reading to the Filipino children and young adults. [Activities carried out include the following]: storytelling, read aloud, puppet shows, arts and crafts, films showing, Kidsmart Program (Computer software), educational tour, and outreach program

The Task Force Detainees of the Philippines•a non-profit, national human rights organization concerned with documenting human rights violations, assisting the victims and their families in their material and legal needs, and conducting human rights education work.

Linguistic Society of the Philippines•An organization that rallies for the development of Philippine linguistic research and its contribution to the wider global academic community.

EMPATHY

• Ability to balance head and heart• Focus on maintaining a positive

environment• Helping people reach their potential as

professionals• Operating as a “people person” with a

“kind heart”

Compassionate with the staff

EMPATHY

• Being sensitive to the needs of the community

• Showing respect for all people regardless of socio economic status

• Good sense of humor

Empathy towards patrons

FLEXIBILITYBe open to change, not too rigid

Remain versatile

Commit to lifelong learning

Stay current with existing and new trends

Be approachable and committed to customersBe prepared to do something completely different than what was planned to accommodate patrons with flexibility and humility

DELEGATION

Recognize different areas of

responsibility, delegate

appropriately

Be comfortable with your role, not

threatened; let others use their

talents

CREATIVITYTry new things

Take risks

Continue learning

Solve problems creatively

REDUCED SERVICE COUNTERS; INTRODUCE SELF-SERVICE

Self check-out machine Self–service printing

Benefits• Maximized staff time• Saved on the cost of constructing new/additional counters• Reduced paper waste• Reduced complaints• Introduce new trend (i.e. self-service)

Self–service photocopying(in the pipeline)

ACQUIRING THE NEEDED SKILLS

MENTORSHIPBeing mentored by other leaders

Finding a mentor who has the skills you seek

Talking to other leaders, engaging in discussion, and learning from them

Observing leaders who you feel are particularly effective, either in the library or elsewhere

Identifying what characteristics make this person an effective leader and assessing yourself for those characteristics

SUCCESSION PLANNING

Christine M. AbrigoAsst. Director for Operations

Marian R. EcleviaAsst. Director for Support Services

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTFocus on learning how to be a better leader

Participate in leadership programs Pursue other advance degrees (MBA, EdD, PhD)

Participate in webinars, conference sessions, etc.

Be a student of the leadership literature

APPRENTICESHIPHave experience – e.g. working in more than one institution

Experiment – try something new

Practice “mindful leadership” – be focused and thoughtful

Get out of your comfort zone

Practice – deal with difficult question involving human resource, budget, strategic planning, etc.

JOB ROTATION

LEADERSHIP ROLESSeek leadership

roles, especially on campus

Be active in professional

organizations

Pursue leadership roles within the

library for internal projects or initiatives

Look for opportunities to

lead in professional

organizations

Offer service to the college in the form of committee

work or by assisting student

groups

SELF-AWARENESSDevelop a personal mission and value statement (your priorities and core beliefs) as well as a clear sense of WHY

Be self-aware and reflective

Share your thoughts with colleagues and supervisors, assess how those ideas and thoughts are received, and determine if you need to modify or change your manner of presenting yourselfConsult experts (e.g. management coach)

Submit to a 360 leadership evaluation to get honest feedback from staff on the quality of leadership

REFERENCESBinh, P. L. (2015). Academic library leadership in the digital age. Library Management, Vol. 36 Iss 4/5, pp. 300-314

Chow, A.S. & Rich, M. (2013). The ideal qualities and tasks of library leaders: perspectives of academic, public, school, and special library administrators. Library Leadership & Management, Vol. 27 Iss ½, pp. 1-24.