Addresses challenges faced when working in a multicultural library setting and discusses the need for library administration to create supportive environments. Highlights include fluctuating power dynamics; merging diverse opinions and approaches; overcoming perceived lack of empathy; tokenism; accountability; and transforming challenges into…

Suggests guidelines for library administrators in dealing with employee substance abuse and related problems. Early warning signs are listed, general organizational approaches (i.e., the write-off approach vs the treatment approach) are discussed and actions that should be taken are described as well as actions that should be avoided. (7…

In this article, the author recounts her experience in 2005 as a library director at the Mount Laurel Library in New Jersey. She thought her people at the library were in fairly good shape in terms of the professional staff's understanding of the confidentiality rules governing their customer information. However, she was wrong. This was driven…

Defines the strengths of an integrated personnel system and outlines its implementation, using functional job analysis as developed by Sidney Fine. (Author/RAA)

Conflict management theory is illustrated in a series of hypothetical scenarios, typical of library situations. Each scenario is discussed in terms of a specific management theory and the theories are transposed into useful management tools by plotting each situation along relevant axes. (Author/AEF)

Describes the use of docents at the Denver Public Library and explains how to develop a successful volunteer docent program. Discusses their educational background; duties, including training patrons in computer use; cooperation of and acceptance by the professional staff; administrative support; and improved customer service. (LRW)

Provides one approach to a comprehensive library staff development program that addresses the needs of both the new and long-term employee. Discusses keys to successful employee orientation, primary objectives to staff development, developing and enhancing employee knowledge through small training sessions, ensuring opportunities to develop…

Employees are valuable. The cost of hiring, training, and retaining staff--not just librarians, but all staff--generally makes up the largest part of a library's budget. Since library support staff usually comprise 60-80 percent of the work force, it makes perfect fiscal sense to motivate this segment of employees to stay. There is an even more…

As libraries change to meet the evolving needs of our patrons, including the development of online services, many libraries are considering consolidating physical service points to maximize staff and better serve the in-house patron. This article describes the planning, implementation, and evaluation process involved in merging the circulation and…

This survey of regional depository libraries grew out of an informal meeting held in the fall of 1987. The meeting's purpose was to allow regional librarians to discuss their shared problems and concerns. A direct result of this meeting was a decision to gather more information about regionals and how they operated, organized and staffed their…

The writing of job descriptions is a universal management practice in every type of organization. Whatever the size or type of library, the need exists for written descriptions of every job performed. There are no standard of job descriptions available because work duties differ among libraries. Tasks are grouped differently and jobs are given…

This paper discusses personnel management issues that arose when the East Berlin (Germany) Municipal Library and the West Berlin America Memorial Library united in 1995 to form the Central and State Library. The first section provides historical background on the two libraries and their merger. The second section summarizes the East-West conflict…

Discussion of care and planning given to the implementation of an automated library system highlights informing the staff in the early stages, project management, involvement of the entire staff, the control log, time and money, where and when to go online, and implementation consultants. (EJS)

Provides an example of procedures to be followed when investigating a sexual harassment complaint in libraries. Highlights include preparation, including reviewing personnel files; interviewing the complainant, including sample questions; interviewing the alleged harasser; gathering information from other sources, including third-party witnesses;…

Discusses the use of volunteers in public libraries. Topics include types of volunteers; differences between volunteers and paid employees; a volunteer job description; problems with volunteers; managing volunteers; volunteer procedures; and examples of successful volunteer programs. (LRW)