Making a Difference: Leadership and Academic Libraries

by PeterHernon (Author), Dr . Nancy Rossiter (Author)

New
Paperback
2006
$57.64

Leadership is separate from, but integral to, management; and library directors today and for the foreseeable future can be expected to play an institutional role as they lead the library to contribute towards the mission of their college and university. Similarly, new courses in library leadership now accompany more traditional ones on managing organizations and information resources. However, much of the literature on LIS leadership represents a distilled application of principles and practices borrowed from other disciplines, with few reports of research from the library field. Conceived as a companion to The Next Library Leadership (Libraries Unlimited, 2003), Making a Difference includes not only a discussion of effective attributes, but of issues central to the development of leadership qualities, strategies, and dispositions. Essential reading for anyone interested in advancing the quality of leadership within LIS, particularly academic librarians in or aspiring to positions of managerial leadership.

Synopsis

Leadership is separate from, but integral to, management; and library directors today and for the foreseeable future can be expected to play an institutional role as they lead the library to contribute towards the mission of their college and university. Similarly, new courses in library leadership now accompany more traditional ones on managing organizations and information resources. However, much of the literature on LIS leadership represents a distilled application of principles and practices borrowed from other disciplines, with few reports of research from the library field. Conceived as a companion to The Next Library Leadership (Libraries Unlimited, 2003), Making a Difference includes not only a discussion of effective attributes, but of issues central to the development of leadership qualities, strategies, and dispositions. Essential reading for anyone interested in advancing the quality of leadership within LIS, particularly academic librarians in or aspiring to positions of managerial leadership.

$57.64

Quantity

10 in stock

More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 316
Publisher: Libraries Unlimited Inc
Published: 30 Dec 2006
ISBN 10: 1591582911
ISBN 13: 9781591582915
Book Overview: Leadership is separate from, but integral to, management. This companion volume to The Next Library Leadership (2002) offers a deeper exploration of the leading issues and concerns of library directors today.

Media Reviews

[T]his is an excellent reference book for library managers and managers of the future. It is full of interesting information, discussions, data from surveys, along with helpful charts and self-assessment exercises on leadership. References to recent literature are useful, especially the review of available literature on library information studies. . . . In addition this volume is helpful for library managers when planning and setting short- and long-range goals. Overall this is a practical addition to the field of leadership in libraries. - The Australian Library Journal
It is thought-provoking; it assembles a rich set of references and resources from general leadership theory. It has some extremely thorough and well written chapters and surveys. And above all it makes one think. - Library Review
This fine collection of essays provides a welcome introduction to the literature on leadership, ranging from exposition of management theory to administration of practical advice. Making a Difference includes articles that would be helpful to librarians at any stage of their careers. . . . Academic (and other) librarians who read this insightful and comprehensive text really can enhance their ability to make a difference as they lead their libraries further into the 21st century. - College & Research Libraries
This work is clearly targeted at academic librarians aspiring to leadership positions. Recommended for professional, personal, and library-school collections. - Booklist/Professional Reading
A companion to The Next Library Leadership (Libraries Unlimited, 2003) this text focuses on the needs of the library and information sciences field, rather than on applying techniques taken from other disciplines. The articles discuss effective attributes and the development of leadership qualities, strategies and dispositions. They consistently distinguish between leadership and management, while explaining the close relationship between the two activities. - Reference & Research Book News
It is thought-provoking; it assembles a rich set of references and resources from general leadership theory. It has some extremely thorough and well written chapters and surveys. It is rigorous in its approach and descriptions . . . and above all it makes one think. - Library Review

Author Bio

Peter Hernon is professor at Simmons College, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, where he teaches courses on government information policy and resources, evaluation of information services, research methods, and academic librarianship. He received his PhD from Indiana University and has taught at Simmons College, the University of Arizona, and Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. He is coeditor of Library & Information Science Research , founding editor of Government Information Quarterly, and for nine years, been editor of The Journal of Academic Librarianship. He is the author of more than 240 publications, 44 of which are books. Among these are Outcomes Assessment in Higher Education (Libraries Unlimited, 2004), The Next Library Leadership (Libraries Unlimited, 2002).

Nancy Rossiter is an assistant professor at Simmons College, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, where she teaches management classes, including principles of management, contemporary management theory, marketing the library and information entrepreneurship. Prior to joining the Simmons faculty, she taught for eight years at Bay Path College, Bryant University, Providence College, and Roger Williams University. She was instrumental in developing an entrepreneurship program for women at Bay Path College. Prior to teaching on the college level, Dr. Rossiter owned a publishing company in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. She has also been a consultant, with clients including GTECH, Bryant's Small Business Development Center and Center for Management Development.