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оНСЩКК п.п., уЕПМНМ о., ъМЦ ю.о.
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юяянжхюжхх мюсвмшу ахакхнрей DESIRABLE ATTRIBUTES FOR DIRECTORS OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIES BELONGING TO THE ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH LIBRARIES |
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There is a growing concern about the future pool of candidates for directorships of large academic research libraries in North America. A large number of current academic research library directors will be retiring during the next several years, and it is important that well qualified individuals be hired to replace them. Present-day directors must possess a wide variety of attributes, and it may be difficult to achieve an optimal match between the director and the institution. In addition, there are indications that a number of potential candidates for directors▓ positions are not interested in becoming directors. Therefore, a study was conducted in order to identify the desirable attributes of current and future directors of university libraries belonging to the Association of Research Libraries √ an association of the largest research libraries in North America. This study used multiple means of data collection. In the first phase, a review of the professional literature and a content analysis of job advertisements were conducted in order to create an initial list of desirable attributes for ARL directors. Interviews were then conducted with 20 current directors of ARL libraries; 15 interviews were conducted face-to-face and five were done over the telephone. The final list of attributes contained 121 items organized into three broad categories - organizational attributes, individual characteristics, and general areas of knowledge - and into 11 subcategories. The list of attributes follows: Organizational Attributes Directing communicate with staff compromise collaborate delegate authority empower staff facilitate the group process implement action keep commitments maintain a productive work environment make tough decisions manage public relations activities manage/shape change manage human resources motivate staff promote professional growth of staff sense problems when working with staff support staff diversity ■think on one▓s feet■ - ⌠wing it■ Leading advocate for the library build relationships concentrate on the ⌠big picture■ develop a campus visibility function in a shared decision-making environment function in a political environment gain external support (university administration, state legislature) keep the library focused on its mission synthesize and represent the ideas of others think ⌠outside the box■ understand the library▓s complex environment understand the academic community and how it operates use different decision-making styles depending on the situation Organizing resolve conflicts Planning acquire grants allocate resources effectively balance access to and ownership of resources build a consensus develop a vision for the library develop programs and services engage in fund-raising engage in systems analysis manage fiscal resources/budgets plan use of information technology respond to different pressures from different constituencies set priorities solicit donations (development) work with consortia, networks, etc. Status be perceived as an equal of faculty and deans Individual Characteristics Dealing with Others accessible approachable articulate caring common decency (in dealing with people) controls emotions diplomatic enjoys being in groups even-handed even-tempered good interpersonal/people skills have social graces/skills like people not compelled to please everyone all of the time objective personable self-confident sense of humor sense of perspective socially confident Fiscal Matters business skills comfortable with numbers Leadership adaptable change focused emotional control enabler and facilitator enthusiastic extrovert flexible good judgment good listener good values/ethics imaginative inspire trust mature thinker optimistic persuasive political skills reasonable risk-taking skills resilient self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses stamina take the initiative team-building skills tolerance of ambiguity understanding that he/she does not have all of the answers willingness to admit (learn from) mistakes willingness to explain decisions Personal Strengths able to handle stress analyze and solve problems balance diverse activities simultaneously balanced view broad knowledge comfortable with ambiguity committed to job and profession energetic honest intelligent intuitive like to travel oral and written communication skills synthesize and represent the ideas of others tolerant of ceremony variety of experiences work on multiple tasks simultaneously Planning and Organizing committed to service entrepreneurial negotiation skills networking skills organizational skills results-oriented Visionary creative innovative love libraries love to learn open minded organizational agility sense of direction for the library General Areas of Knowledge community▓s view of the library digital libraries higher education information delivery systems information literacy information technology intellectual property rights management issues outcome assessment publishing industry resource sharing scholarly communication /information needs The next phase of the study will employ a Delphi technique to refine the list of 121 attributes and to rank-order them according to degree of importance. |