Support

 Administration/Management For Library Directors

Library management is simply too broad of a topic to address in a simple Web site page.  In small libraries, the library director must know and assume all job responsibilities and tasks.  In large libraries, the library director generally oversees the upper management team and directs library operations on a very broad level. 

There are several options in learning about library management.  There are online handbooks from state libraries such as:

State Library of Louisiana Library Director’s Handbook

Connecticut’s Public Library Director’s Handbook 

Administrative Essentials: A Handbook for Wisconsin’s Public Library Directors

There is training available from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s

Small Library Management Training Program for non-MLS library directors.  The Texas Library Association offers the TALL TEXANS  Leadership Development Course  for middle managers.  The Texas Municipal League  provides an annual conference for library directors.  There are training opportunities from the American Library Association, ALA’s Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA),Texas Library Association and Public Library Association. 

WebJunction http://ct.webjunction.org/management provides a substantial amount of information for managers and covers topics such as budgeting, facilities, personnel, advocacy, customer service and many others.

Personnel, labor and library laws found on the AALS Web site may be viewed at www.aalstx.net.

The AALS Professional Collection offers several titles on library administration, management and supervising.  The Accidental Library Manager, Management Basics for Information Professionals, Strategic Management for Today’s Libraries, Creating the Agile Library, Practical Help for New Supervisors and Managing Change are among the many titles that focus on management.  If you are interested in borrowing any of these titles, and you are a library staff member within AALS, please call the AALS Office at 210/207-2609 for additional information.  

Budgeting and financial information may be found on the WebJunction site here.  WebJunction also offers online courses on budgeting.  Developing the Library Budget from Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction is here. 

For Library Trustees (Boards, Friends and Foundations)

Library trustees, more commonly known in Texas as board members, fall into two groups – advisory or governing boards.  Each has its own set of responsibilities.  Advisory boards tend to simply advise the library director on larger issues such as policies, budgeting, advocacy and overall operations.  Advisory boards are generally found in municipal or county libraries and are appointed by the funding authority.  Governing boards actually govern the internal operations of the library.  Their members are responsible for all aspects of the library including finances, management and buildings.  Governing boards are generally found in non-profit libraries and library districts.  Their members may be elected from the public or appointed.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission offers an online version the Public Library Advisory Board Handbook for all libraries in the state.  Additionally, there are other states that also offer board or trustee handbooks.   

Massachusetts Public Library Trustees Handbook 
Library Trustees (Iowa) 
The Complete Virginia Public Library Trustee Handbook 
Trustee Essentials (Wisconsin)