Library management

Library

Library management is a sub-discipline of institutional management that focuses on specific issues faced by libraries and library management professionals. Library management encompasses normal management tasks as well as intellectual freedom, anti-censorship, and fundraising tasks. Issues faced in library management frequently overlap those faced in management of non-profit organizations.[1]

Basic functions

Basic tasks in library management include:

Common library construct

Most physical libraries that store solid media, such as books, articles, film, and other artifacts, adhere to some derivative of the Dewey Decimal System as their method for tagging, storing, and retrieving artifacts based on unique identifiers.[3] The use of such systems have caused librarians to develop and leverage common constructs that act as tools for both librarians, and users of libraries. These constructs include:

Planning and maintaining library facilities

An important aspect of library management is planning and maintaining library facilities. Planning the construction of new libraries or remodeling those that exist is integral as user needs are often changing. To supplement their operating budget, managers often secure funding through gifts and fundraising. Many facilities are also including cafes, Friends of the Library, and exhibit spaces to help generate additional revenue.[4] These venues must be taken into account when planning for building expansions. The site for new construction must be located, the building must be designed, constructed, and then evaluated. Once established, it is important that the building management keep up on regular maintenance. This can also be completed by delegating tasks to maintenance personal or hiring an outside company through bids.[5]

Associations

The Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA), a division of the American Library Association, provides leaders with webinar, conferences, awards and grants, Library Leadership & Management (online quarterly magazine), and books. LLAMA membership includes a free subscription to great leadership Library Leadership & Management and discounts on conferences and publications.[6]

Publications

The Journal of Library Administration began in 1980 and is currently published by Routledge, 8 times per year. It is a peer-reviewed academic journal that discusses issues pertaining to library management.[7]

References

  1. Sharma, C. K.; Singh, Kiran (2005), Library Management, ISBN 978-81-269-0452-5
  2. McClure, C. R. (1980). "LIBRARY MANAGERS: Can They Manage? Will They Lead?". Library Journal: 2391.
  3. Wellish, Hans H. "Dewey Decimal Classification, Universal Decimal Classification, and the Broad System of Ordering: The Evolution of Universal Ordering Systems". College of Library and Information Sciences, University of Maryland. CiteSeerX: 10.1.1.221.3537.
  4. Pautz, Hartwig. "Income generation in public libraries: potentials and pitfalls". Library Review 63 (8/9): 568.
  5. Moran, B.; Stueart, R.; Morner, C. (2013). Library and Information Center Management. California: Libraries Unlimited. ISBN 978-1-59884-989-9.
  6. http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/llama/index.cfm
  7. "The Journal of Library Administration". Retrieved 7 November 2013.

Further reading

External links

Wikisource has the text of the 1920 Encyclopedia Americana article Library Administration.
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