Michael Sullivan is a juggler--not a metaphorical one, a real one. He's also a library director, storyteller, competitive chess player, poet, speaker, and former children's librarian who continues to work with the kids in his community. This article summarizes the accomplishments and work of Michael Sullivan.

In this article, the author addresses the importance of having orientation for new librarians. During their crucial first few weeks on the job, the author claims, new librarians need as much hands-on, real-world training as they can get. If they are ushered to the information desk without an introduction to the staff interface of the catalog or to…

Although a librarian for only eight years, Corinne Hill is already known in Dallas and Denton, TX, for turning dull, little-used branches into vibrant community centers. A stylish woman with a zest for shopping, Hill loves developing new collections and showing them off. She sees no reason why a library should not be as attractive as any good…

As demands on libraries continue to grow, outpacing budget increases, more librarians are forced to make difficult decisions about what materials and services stay and go. Charles R. McClure has written that many librarians use an "adhocracy" method to make these decisions, relying on no data or simple aggregates in determining a course of action.…

Outlines the major issues which special libraries will face in the next decade. (Author/PF)

Discusses how women library managers can use efficient time management techniques to help them make the best of both career and home work environments. Nine basic steps to greater efficiency are presented, and external and internal time wasters are listed. (EM)

Reviews the current literature to provide information on openings and recent appointments at the state librarian level around the country. The varied roles of state libraries are also described, and a brief discussion of the qualifications of a state library director is included. (21 references) (MES)

Describes the development of the San Jose Public Library's newly operational SCICON circulation control system, one of the largest and fastest online systems in America. (RAA)

Explains the history of the staffing pressures felt by the Metropolitan Library System in Oklahoma City, and describes steps taken to reallocate personnel, the method of data-gathering and analysis, and the effects of the changes on the system. (JVP)

Reports results of a survey of public libraries on fundraising. Data are presented on sources of funding, the importance of fundraising, fundraising contacts, types of fundraising activities, purposes for funds raised, other benefits, staffing, and the relationship between fundraising and size of budget. Some data are analyzed by geographical…

NextGens making the jump into management, or those lucky (or foolhardy!) enough to do so right out of school, often find that the challenge of managing established staff takes some of the momentum out of the ability to effect change. Some older librarians find it hard enough to believe that NextGens are their peers; they simply shut down when…

This article offers five ideas librarians should review every now and then to make sure the right services are being offered in the most effective manner to the people they serve. These five exercises or ideas may not be completely easy but neither are they difficult or expensive. However, they will guarantee an increased awareness of, and…

How do you simultaneously renovate a grocery store into a state-of-the-art resource library, supervise the daily operations of five libraries, lead a team in reimagining reference service, and plan your wedding? Ask Lois Langer, coordinating librarian of Hennepin County Library. Her answer: "Project management--you can do anything,…

When the author ran into other recent graduates at the American Library Association (ALA) annual conference in New Orleans in 2006, several told her they were not happy with their jobs. After months of searching, they settled for positions in isolated rural libraries, have jobs with little responsibility, or are expected to manage their staff…

Flextime was an experiment at the Claremont College libraries to bridge the widening gap between employees' work and their lives. Other benefits include more efficient use of equipment, less parking congestion, and higher employee productivity. The guidelines for flextime are included. (JAB)