The study's purpose was evaluating skills and qualities library directors receive and recommending changes to their training. The project answered 5 research questions, such as, What will the data in Section 3 of the Senior Library Director Skills and Qualities Survey reveal senior library directors in the state-wide consortium perceive are important skills for potential or new academic library directors? Participants were selected from 2 different populations for this study. The first population used entirely was composed of 62 senior library directors from the state-wide consortium. The second population used entirely was composed of 88 faculty members from 7 library schools in 6 midwestern states. The research design was based upon the descriptive-survey research design because it is common to use and to describe educational phenomena. The researcher used 2 surveys: Senior Library Director Skills and Qualities Survey and Library School Faculty Skills and Qualities Survey. The surveys were analyzed with descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Surveys were used to determine skills and qualities needed for a library director. An analysis revealed that library directors and library school faculty differed in perceived skills and qualities for a library director. The researcher developed a plan based on the research findings and the current and relevant literature to bridge the gap between the 21 different populations' perceptions concerning the skills and qualities for a potential or new academic library director. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]