This tag was created by Curtis Fletcher.  The last update was by Sarah Tribelhorn.

Sarah Tribelhorn Portfolio

Program Goal C

It is necessary for information professionals to be able to apply and assess management strategies, practices, and decisions, at all levels of leadership, with an emphasis that leadership can be both up and down. Libraries and information organizations are complex environments, requiring extensive knowledge of diverse management strategies and methods to make effective decisions that will ultimately benefit their organizations, and more importantly the communities they serve. These strategies include skills regarding the management of daily operations, as well as project management skills and effective communication strategies.  As the Master of Management in Information and Library Science (MMLIS) Program is hosted in the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California (USC), there is a strong emphasis on leadership, management techniques, and effective communication in all courses. As a result, I developed and practiced these skills frequently, as demonstrated in the controversial collection assessment and project management plans.

Controversial Collection Assessment 

In LIM 502: Collection Development and Management, as the Head of Collection Development I was tasked with critically analyzing a hypothetical collection gifted with substantial financial donation to a library and advocate for either accepting or rejecting the gift and donation. However, this gift presented an ethical dilemma as the collection included primarily Holocaust denial materials, despite being accompanied by a considerable financial gift that would alleviate the library’s current financial burden. In a memo to my supervisor, based on a critical collection review,  I advocated for accepting this collection and donation and clearly outlined and articulated steps that should be simultaneously taken, including but not limited, to hiring new staff members; developing an information literacy curriculum; focusing on inclusive collection development going forward; and revising the collection development policy. In addition, I developed and included a well-defined and comprehensive five-year budget based on the amount donated. Through this process, I demonstrated effective management strategies and communication to ensure sustainable financial stability and inclusivity surrounding the special collection. I critically assessed the collection and considered different strategies to manage it, and then assessed how these could be implemented most effectively. 

Project Management Plan – Geocaching 

In LIM 536: Library Project Management, working as a team, my colleagues and I developed a comprehensive management plan to implement a new program into an academic library. This process involved leadership, teamwork, strategizing, an in-depth community analysis, and the development of a realistic implementation plan. It also included the development of a detailed budget. Typical project management tools used in the process included a Gantt chart and RACI table to assign responsibilities and ensure follow through by set deadlines. The process highlighted the importance of effective communication and leadership, as well as project organization. Throughout the process I was able to reflect on and assess the effectiveness of different leadership styles within our team and determine what worked effectively. In addition, I gained valuable experience in different conflict scenarios with team members not agreeing on processes. Solutions were found in these situations through open and direct communication. This illustrates that through these scenarios I was able to critically assess and manage different challenges, and make sound decisions for the benefit of the team.

Project Management Plan – Independent Research Project 

To carry out my independent research paper for LIM 593: Independent Research in Library and Information Management, it was necessary to develop a clear project management plan to ensure that all the relevant deadlines would be met in a timely manner. This process required me to determine the base assumptions of my research, and critically analyze what the driving and restraining forces would be, determine the critical success factors and understand the scope. The project milestones were clearly tabulated, and a detailed weekly schedule was included to keep me on track. This process is transferable to all projects, and ensures effective execution of the project while meeting deadlines in an organized way. Through the process I applied and assessed different management strategies for the most effective execution of my independent research project.

Conclusions

It is necessary for information professionals, including team leaders and members, to have knowledge of effective and diverse management skills and strategies, and to be able to successfully apply and assess these skills and make fundamental decisions during the development of projects and programs. For projects to be successful, it is necessary for all team members to work together effectively towards a common goal that they believe in for the benefit of their communities. Throughout the MMLIS program, I have been challenged to create communication strategies and action plans from a managerial perspective that are fundamental skills I will use as an information professional. The controversial collection assessment, team project management plan, and independent management plan highlighted diverse management strategies and practices, and how these could be applied to make effective decisions. Throughout the program, I have had several opportunities for professional growth, and have learned proactive management communication skills for effective leadership, fundamental project management tools, and leadership techniques that will ensure I am an authentic leader able to assess projects critically and make sound reliable decisions.

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