This preliminary report describes a project designed to formulate a competency model for research library managers as suggested input for job descriptions, recruitment and interviewing techniques, training, and curriculum review in the graduate professional programs. The objectives of the project are to identify the requisite managerial knowledges, skills, and attitudes required in research librarianship as input for the model, and to test, by means of a parallel study, the methodology proposed by King Research, Inc., for its New Directions in Library and Information Science Education project. Project methodology is described, including data gathering via interviews with 88 librarians from 11 research libraries, and the literature is reviewed. Comparisons of "Superior" middle managers, to "Average" middle managers, and of Assistant/Associate Directors to the two levels of middle managers are presented in textual and tabular form, and attitudes characterizing superior performers are discussed. Finally, implications and next steps for the project are considered, and the project budget is reported. Pertinent letters, project questionnaires, and the King Research, Inc. Attitudes Checklist are appended. (Author/KM)