This tag was created by Curtis Fletcher. The last update was by Sarah Tribelhorn.
Program Goal A
Library Leader Interview
Based on my previous work experiences related to post-secondary academia, I am interested in a career in academic libraries. Therefore, in LIM 500: Fundamentals of Library and Information Science (LIM 500), I conducted an interview with Mike Hawthorne a Library Director at Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, to gain valuable insight into an academic library. During this interview, Mike Hawthorne highlighted the importance of a vision, mission, and core values, and the necessity of a well-developed strategic plan in an academic library, which is pertinent for all libraries and information organizations. I gained further insight into budgetary needs, how the library is funded, who is responsible for determining the budget, and the complex interactions between the Library and University Administration. In addition, I developed an understanding of how collections are developed to support their communities; in this case, to “advance scholarship, student learning and faculty innovation” (Wayne State University Library Systems, n.d., para. 4). Furthermore, I learned the importance of effective leadership within the ecology of libraries to manage the complex dynamics, including the need to adapt to new environments, embrace change, and the willingness to try new things, including technologies, as has proven necessary with Covid-19 challenges.Sustainability in Academic Libraries
During my research into aspects of sustainability in academic libraries for a research paper for LIM 500, I learned about the depth of sustainability, that it includes economic, social, and environmental aspects, and the complex interaction of these, and is dictated by the diverse ecological environment of libraries and their communities. Furthermore, the research into this topic highlighted the importance and my understanding that it is necessary to address challenges in each of these areas in such a way that proposed solutions do not result in challenges in different areas (Henk, 2014). This is true, not only for sustainability, but all aspects within libraries.Collection Development Policy Analysis
In this assignment for LIM 502: Collection Development and Management, I critically analyzed a collection development policy (CDP) from Mardigian Library at the University of Michigan (Dearborn) (University of Michigan, 2020). I consider the development of policies as part of the complex ecosystem of libraries. I did not have previous knowledge of collection development, or how the policies are developed, so this assignment challenged me to critically analyze collection development and the importance of CDPs for their effective governance. I analyzed if this CDP met the goals of developing the library’s collection based on the library’s mission, as described by Johnson (2019), and how to effectively analyze all CDPs. In addition, through this process it highlighted the dynamic relationships within libraries, and the need for continual policy analysis to ensure they meet the needs of the community.Scenario Planning
In LIM 537: Legal, Ethical and Strategic Fundamentals for Library Managers (LIM 537), I developed three different scenarios for effective literacy programs for the Detroit Public Library based on a comprehensive community analysis. This assignment provided an understanding of the need to carefully analyze the community that a library serves, and understand the complex relationships involved in developing programs that support necessary programs, including budgetary requirements, management requirements, stakeholders relationships, and community information needs. This provided me with some depth of understanding into different types of libraries, as I had previously focused on academic libraries. In addition, this challenged me to consider the complexities of developing programs that will meet the needs of communities in the future.Drafting a Library Policy
In LIM 537, further knowledge regarding library policy development and governance was provided. In this assignment I drafted a Conflict of Interest Policy for a public library, analyzing the relationships within the community, and complex relationships between stakeholders. I learned the necessity for adopting specific language, and how to articulate these policies to ensure sound governance.Conclusion
These assignments allowed me to analyze and subsequently understand the complex interactions of different libraries and their information networks. I gained valuable insight into the organization of an academic library through my library leader interview. Through my research on sustainability in academic libraries, I gained an understanding of complex interactions in providing information and services sustainably to ensure student and community success. The scenario planning provided valuable knowledge of the relationships between various stakeholders, and the organization of public libraries. The collection development analysis and conflict of interest policy assignments provided valuable perspectives on the governance of different aspects in academic and public libraries, respectively, that are valuable and can be applied to all libraries. I am confident that I will be able to apply this knowledge as an information professional to effectively negotiate the different and complex relationships in libraries and provide sound leadership and governance.References
Henk, M. (2014). Ecology, economy, equity: The path to a carbon-neutral library. American Library Association. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/socal/detail.action?docID=1774124Johnson. (2014). Fundamentals of collection development and management (3rd ed.). ALA Editions.
University of Michigan. (July 22, 2020). Collection development policy. https://library.umd.umich.edu/services/collection.php
Wayne State University Library Systems. (n.d.). About the libraries. https://library.wayne.edu/info/about/