The Challenge of Library Management: Leading with Emotional Engagement

by Pixey Anne Mosley, Wyoma VanDuinkerken

Change is inevitable and essential to any functioning institution. But change can be stressful, especially when it upsets established routines and patterns. Library managers need to be able to lead staff through episodes of change while remaining empathetic, and this book shows them how to Most workplace changes are not ends in themselves but part of a continuous process of transition. Peppered with short narratives that use real-life examples of change principles, this book helps managers reassure their staff that change can be an opportunity for reflection and personal growth.

Genres: Nonfiction, Management, Librarianship, Library Science

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Jessica O · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some useful things in this book, but for the most part it felt like it was intended for a much less experienced audience - which is a bit confusing, since a less experienced audience probably wouldn't be in a position to institute changes like the ones discussed in the book.

[Cori Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written by two practicing academic library managers. Though the title doesn’t mention it, the entire book is dedicated to management of change, specifically on how to handle the staff’s emotional reaction to change. The book is well researched, and published by the ALA.

[Vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I was able to take away some ideas from this book, the prose was dense and technical. For a book dealing with emotional engagement, it fell short on warmth and invigoration that I was hoping to take away as inspiration and apply at my own library.

[Brady Clemens · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a fun read--I finished this book for class, and while I found many points to be of great potetial utility, it was not "enjoyable" by any means. But such is the nature of books assigned for education/library classes.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title is misleading; it should be _Change Management in Libraries_. Of course, I probably wouldn't have read it with that title! I liked this and got some good insights.