Abstract
Much has been written about the “greying” of the library profession and the need
for comprehensive workforce planning in the face of significant retirement. Recent publications have suggested that new librarians are reluctant to take on leadership and management roles within libraries. Some of the reasons outlined for this reluctance include negative perceptions of current library managers and the desire to achieve satisfactory work-life balance. As libraries face the challenge of workforce retirement, particularly at a senior level, it is vital that strategies are put in place to encourage librarians to take the next step into management.
This paper will test the assumption that newer librarians are reluctant to move
into management positions through surveys and interviews of librarians who have
graduated within the last ten years. The data collected will establish whether this
reluctance exists and if so, why. The authors will outline a number of strategies
for ensuring a positive view of management is promoted and modelled within the
library industry.
The paper will also report on the Stepping into Management Program, a strategy
developed in Western Australia, to encourage younger librarians to aspire to
management positions.
for comprehensive workforce planning in the face of significant retirement. Recent publications have suggested that new librarians are reluctant to take on leadership and management roles within libraries. Some of the reasons outlined for this reluctance include negative perceptions of current library managers and the desire to achieve satisfactory work-life balance. As libraries face the challenge of workforce retirement, particularly at a senior level, it is vital that strategies are put in place to encourage librarians to take the next step into management.
This paper will test the assumption that newer librarians are reluctant to move
into management positions through surveys and interviews of librarians who have
graduated within the last ten years. The data collected will establish whether this
reluctance exists and if so, why. The authors will outline a number of strategies
for ensuring a positive view of management is promoted and modelled within the
library industry.
The paper will also report on the Stepping into Management Program, a strategy
developed in Western Australia, to encourage younger librarians to aspire to
management positions.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | Strategies for Regenerating the Library and Information Profession |
Editors | Jana Varlejs, Graham Walton |
Place of Publication | München |
Publisher | K.G. Saur |
Pages | 187-201 |
Volume | 139 |
Edition | Bologna, Italy |
ISBN (Print) | 9783598220449 |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2009 |
Event | IFLA Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning (CPDWL) Satellite Event - University of Bologna, Italy Duration: 18 Aug 2009 → 20 Aug 2009 |
Publication series
Name | IFLA Publications Series |
---|---|
Publisher | K.G. Saur |
Volume | 139 |
ISSN (Print) | 0344-6891 |
Conference
Conference | IFLA Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning (CPDWL) Satellite Event |
---|---|
Country/Territory | Italy |
Period | 18/08/09 → 20/08/09 |