What Every Library Director Should Know is the insider's view of vital actions, behaviors and strategies to succeed in every type of library. The content is based both on the author's direct experience after a long career in several types of libraries but also on the direct observation of other managers. Inset into the book are pearls of wisdom from other directors, managers and observers who are answering the question, "what is the one piece of management wisdom that you would give to anyone who wishes to become a library director?" This book will help to get you there by explaining and illus.

• Contents
• Acknowledgments
  • Quote Attributions
• Introduction
• 1 At the Helm
  • Unbuckle the Organization
  • The Importance of Making a Good Impression
  • Controlling Expectations
  • Downstream Thinking
  • The Conspiracy of Silence
  • Target Fixation
  • The Long Distance Runner
  • The Master of Integration
  • The Proof Is in the Pudding
  • The Librarian-in-Chief
  • Conclusion
• 2 Customer Number One: Your Boss
  • Living the Context
  • Bucking the Boss
  • Being Tough with Yourself
  • Market Yourself
  • Relating to the Boss’s Boss
  • Relating Effectively
  • The Booster
  • Bad Bosses
  • Conclusion
• 3 Engaging Staff
  • People Who Like People
  • Stand-up Director
  • Not One of the Gang
  • The Fighter in the Ring
  • The Actor on the Stage
  • Checking Your Ego
  • The Power Seekers
  • Building the Management Team
  • Driving the Staff Crazy
  • Minding the Message
  • Staff Morale
  • Relationships in the Workplace
  • Union Actions
  • The Politically Connected Staff
  • Hello and Goodbye
  • Conclusion
• 4 Dealing with a Board and the Faculty Senate
  • Degrees of Control
  • Basic Principles
  • Developing the Agenda
  • Making the Board Look Good
  • Boards under Siege
  • Bad Boards
  • Conclusion
• 5 Dollar Sense
  • The Breadwinner
  • Know the Dollars
  • Manage the Dollars Effectively
  • Walking the Straight and Narrow
  • The Boss and Money
  • Getting Audited
  • Managing Time
  • Employee Turnover
  • Conclusion
• 6 The Borders of the Realm
  • A Friend Indeed
  • Network versus Clique
  • The Danger Zone
  • Tattletale
  • Poachers
  • Friends of the Library
  • Community Groups
  • Student Associations
  • Elected Officials
  • Conclusion
• 7 Dealing with the Press
  • The Double-Edged Sword
  • Being Interviewed: Preparation
  • The Written Word
  • Being Interviewed: Responding
  • The Drop-in Reporter
  • The Reporter: Friend or Foe?
  • Bad Press Day
  • Two Week Rule
  • Staff Involvement
  • Conclusion
• 8 A Death in the Library
  • Emotional Impact
  • The Dying Colleague
  • Dying in the Library
  • Sharing the News
  • Attending the Funeral
  • Practical Concerns
  • A Grateful Library
  • The Year After
  • The Family of Staff
  • Conclusion
• 9 Changing Times
  • Taking Heart
  • Pattern of Decision Making
  • The World of Gray
  • Outside Forces of Change
  • Change Fatigue
  • Handling a Setback
  • The Price of Not Changing
  • Problems without Solutions
  • Project Management
  • Conclusion
• 10 Transitions
  • Starting the New Job
  • Promoted from Within
  • Accidental Director
  • Job Shock
  • The End of the Line: Fired
  • The End of the Line: Retired
  • The End of the Line: Resigned
  • Traveling Light
  • Conclusion
• A Final Word
• Index
• About the Author