Growing next generation library managers: are new librarians reluctant to step into management?

IFLA Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning (CPDWL) Satellite Event, University of Bologna Italy, August 2009

Jill Benn, University of Western AustraliaRebecca Moore, City of Nedlands

Presentation Overview

1.Background

1.Survey findings

2.Strategies to encourage librarians to move up into management

Image from:http://rubenerd.com/uploads/graphic.map.australia.png

Perth

Image from:http://rubenerd.com/uploads/graphic.map.australia.png Statistics from:http://joboutlook.gov.au http://www.bibliothek-saur.de/2007_3/346-352.pdf

Librarians – 14,200Library Technicians – 7,100Library Assistants – 8,300

Age Profile (per cent share)

http://joboutlook.gov.au/pages/occupation.aspx?search=&tab=stats&cluster=&code=2246

Hallam G. Library workforce planning in Australia: Can the present inform the future? Bibliothek 31.2007 Nr. 3 http://www.bibliothek-saur.de/2007_3/346-352.pdf

Rowley J, Roberts S. The reluctant leader? Leadership and the information profession. Library and information update. 2008; 7(7/8):52-54.

“there is a sense that library and information professionals are reluctant to become leaders, not seeing this as their domain but preferring to focus on ‘professional’ library issues.”

“…recruiting the next generation of library leaders is of critical importance. One roadblock to this...is the negative perception of leadership positions from Generation X and Y librarians and the unwillingness of many librarians to aspire to positions of middle management…those in leadership positions need to address the problem”

Rossiter N. Preparing the next generation of directors and leaders. In: Hernon P, Rossiter N,(ed.) Making a difference: leadership and academic libraries. Westport, Connecticut: Libraries Unlimited; 2007. p. 119-227.

Image from:http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/work-and-home-balance--its-mission-impossible/2007/02/16/1171405443406.html Image from:

http://bookology.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/the-dusty-places/

Image from:http://mymajicdc.com/slice-of-life-are-you-driving-your-boss-crazy/

Image from:http://www.flickr.com/photos/blg3/3208832266/

New Librarians and Management Survey

• surveymonkey.com• January 2009 for 2 weeks• Promoted via various email lists• 350 responses (301 fully completed)• 896 free text comments

New Librarians and Management Survey

Gender of respondents

Age of respondents

Survey responses by sector

New librarians currently working in management within first 10 years of employment

New librarians currently working in management within first 5 years of employment

Reason not currently working in management

Would you like to work in a management role in the future?

From what I have seen you put in long hours with little reward , and you get to do very little of what actually got me work in a special library in the first place...

I do not like managing people. I prefer research and reference work.

I don't think I am suitable for a management position, I avoid confrontation...  

Like taking on new responsibilities. Enjoy the challenges that management roles face although I think I would be ready for this type of role in 5-10 years time.  

I want to progress up the chain of command.

It's the natural progression from the position that I am in and when I feel that I have gained enough experience in my current role, I will begin to apply for management roles.

Library management and strategic planning interests me and I like new challenges.

Are you satisfied in your management role?

Do you intend to stay in a management role?

Not cut out for it! Prefer to work behind the scenes and get work done efficiently rather than constant interruptions, additional responsibilities etc

Seeking a work Life balance - do not like work following me home

Unless I remain in sole-librarian roles I would not want to be in charge of a large number of staff.

While I did enjoy liaison level librarianship, I have found I enjoy management work more. The added challenges are stimulating and rewarding.

I intend to stay in a management role in the future, and definitely within the library/information industry, as it's important to me to have a good understanding of the tasks my staff undertake.

Definitely as it will be the most effective career progression and provide the greatest range of challenges in librarianship.

I like management roles because they provide opportunities for high-level decision-making, responsibility and contribution to strategic direction.

Would you recommend library management as a career to others?

79.9% already working in library management or interested in future

88.6% working in management mostly or completely satisfied

91.4% would recommend library management to others

The importance of role models

Positive:I’ve recently realised I want to be a manager...I left library school and never thought I’d want to

manage anything at all, but it’s working with the people who are managers and having a real feeling and respect for what they do and the way that they do it that has inspired me.

I have a fabulous manager at the moment and she is someone who would inspire me to go into management.

Negative:I see so few inspirational examples of managers, especially senior managers in my

organisation, there is such a lack of good role models that management does not sell itself as am exciting option to me.

I would be interested in if it was the right role but even my manager has told me ‘don’t go into management’ because it is very hard to please everyone and he feels he’s the middleman between the directors and staff.

I only have to look up and see that most managers are insecure gutless liars who use management as a way of hiding the fact that they have very little real skills or abilities.

Have you attended management training?

Providing opportunities to develop management skills

Acting or secondment opportunities

Mentoring

Involvement in professional associations

Management training

The Stepping into Management Programme

Aims:

•Inspire librarians to consider a career in library management

•Encourage individuals to take a proactive approach to their own development

•Increase the understanding of the skills required to become a successful library manager

• Put photos from Stepping into Management Programme here

Questions

For more information:jbenn@library.uwa.edu.au