Administration

Trustees Vs Director: Who Has The Power?

Great Western Dragon — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:38:08 -0500

So who's in charge here?

That's the question the trustees are passing around the table at the Yakima Valley Regional Library (WA) where some members of the library board feel that the director is taking her authority too far. While the trustees aren't in agreement over the issue, newer members of the board claim that powers wielded by the director should be exclusively in the board's domain.

In an e-mail to the director, one of the board members stated "...you appear, act and perform as if your (sic) totally in charge. Board trustees for the most part seem to simply follow your directions rarely questioning your actions or spending."

Extra Pair of Hands Survey

webdonkey — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 08:47:06 -0500

If you could increase library staffing in only one area, where? Open to all, not just law librarians, take the survey on Law Librarian Blog at
http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/law_librarian_blog/2008/04/llb-poll-extra.html

The No Asshole Rule

Bibliofuture — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 03:29:00 -0500

On Tech Nation Dr. Moira Gunn speaks with Robert Sutton, the Stanford Professor and author, who has scientific research proving a negative work atmosphere is bad for you. They talk about Sutton's new book which looks at "Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't."
What is in quotes is the subtitle of the book. The full title is: The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't. On the radio interview they cannot say asshole so they dance around the word the whole show. Very interesting interview.

Dionne Mack-Harvin Becomes First Female African-American Director of Brooklyn PL

kimreadthis — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 14:28:00 -0500

Library Journal reports that Dionne Mack-Harvin has been named executive director of the Brooklyn Public Library. This appointment makes her the first female African-American to hold this position, and "the first African American woman in New York State to lead [a] major public library system."According to her profile, Mack-Harvin served as Interim Director of Brooklyn PL since July 2006, during which time she lead the library system's most successful summer reading program. Her appointment followed a nationwide search.

Mack-Harvin earned her B.S. in History and African and Afro-American Studies from the State University of New York at Brockport. She also has an MA in Africana Studies from SUNY Albany. She earned her MLS in 1996 from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at SUNY Albany.

Harvard Getting Their First Woman President?

Blake — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 12:19:00 -0600

Search Engines WEB writes "A renowned historian who specializes in 19th century America, Faust has nonetheless gained a reputation as a scientifically literate administrator — one, perhaps, who could manage the complicated task of developing a science-focused campus in Allston. Here's More"

10K EPA SCIENTISTS PROTEST LIBRARY CLOSURES

Rochelle — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 15:27:00 -0500

schoenbc writes "From the article "...representatives for 10,000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scientists are asking Congress to stop the Bush administration from closing the agency's network of technical research libraries. The EPA scientists, representing more than half of the total agency workforce, contend thousands of scientific studies are being put out of reach, hindering emergency preparedness, anti-pollution enforcement and long-term research, according to the letter released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER)." http://www.peer.org/news/news_id.php?row_id=706"

Time for Library Management 2.0?

John — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 22:52:00 -0500

What do Gwinnett County (GA),
King County (WA),
and Berkeley (CA) have in common? They're rough on
their public library directors. Do these recent stories have a common thread, or lessons that future library leaders could take to heart? What do you wish your director did differently?

Musematic

Blake — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 13:48:00 -0500

kmccook writes "Musematic
Rants and raves on the latest trends in the world of museum informatics and technology. An intrepid cast of experts from the Museum Computer Network and AAM's Media & Technology Committee share their insights, observations and tricks of the trade."

Working for a Woman Can Be a ...

John — Sat, 11 Mar 2006 21:26:00 -0600

GregS* writes 'From PW's Soapbox section: "Women make wonderful bosses. We should know -between the two of us we have more than 30 years of experience in the publishing business and have reported exclusively to women. In our observations, female bosses often become more mentors than managers, nurturing the careers of those who report to them more than their male counterparts. Working for women can be amazing and inspiring. But..." I've worked for good and bad, some guilty of all listed, some a few. But all were women so I can't compare except in how I see my own actions. How about you?'

MLS preferred? PREFERRED?

Rochelle — Mon, 14 Mar 2005 20:24:00 -0600

mdoneil writes "The City of Clearwater is looking for a new library director. The current director is going to Atlanta to be their director(not a job I would apply for but good luck John).
The city has posted the position. What is most amazing is that an MLS is preferred. Not required but preferred. Simply freaking amazing.
I know I would not work at a library where the director was not a librarian. That is like preferring your physician have a degree in medicine, or your CPA have a basic grasp of accounting. MLS preferred. Thank goodness I am moving out of this city when I find that $75K/annum reference librarian position in Utopia."