Academic Library Management: Case Studies

Academic Library Management: Case Studies, edited by Tammy Nickelson Dearie, Michael Meth, and Elaine L. Westbrooks. Neal-Schuman, 2018. 978-0-8389-1559-2.

Publisher's Description
What does successful academic library management look like in the real world?  A team of editors, all administrators at large research libraries, here present a selection of case studies which dive deeply into the subject to answer that question. Featuring contributions from a range of practicing academic library managers, this book:

• spotlights case studies equally useful for LIS students and current managers;
• touches upon such key issues as human resource planning, public relations, financial management, organizational culture, and ethics and confidentiality;
• examines how to manage radical change, using project management methodology to reorganize technical services, creating a new liaison service model, advancing a collaborative future, and setting up on-the-spot mentoring;
• discusses digital planning for archives and special collections;
• rejects “one size fits all” solutions to common challenges in academic libraries in favor of creative problem solving; and
• provides guidance on how to use case studies as effective models for positive change at one’s own institution.

LIS instructors, students, and academic library practitioners will all find enrichment from this selection of case studies.

More Information
See the publisher's website for table of contents and editor information.

63 Ready-to-Use Maker Projects

Kroski, E. (Ed.). (2018). 63 Ready-to-Use Maker Projects. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions. ISBN: 9780838915912.

Publisher's Description

This new compilation from editor and maker Kroski spotlights a multitude of creative projects that you can tailor for your own library. Librarians and makers from across the country present projects as fun as an upcycled fashion show, as practical as Bluetooth speakers, and as mischievous as a catapult. Included are projects for artists, sewers, videographers, coders, and engineers. The handy reference format will help you quickly identify the estimated costs, materials, and equipment; and because several projects don’t even require a dedicated makerspace, every library can join in. Inside you’ll find how-to guidance for projects like:

• a foam rocket launcher;
• stop-motion animation with 3D print characters;
• found-object robots;
• glowing ghost marionettes;
• Arduino eTextiles;
• magnetic slime;
• yarn painting;
• fidget flannels;
• an LED brooch;
• cardboard sculpture

With takeaways like origami tea lights or a t-shirt tote bag, your patrons will be sure to remember how much fun your library can be.

Table of Contents.

Managerial Leadership for Librarians: Thriving in the Public and Nonprofit World

Evans, G. Edward and Holland Christie. Managerial Leadership for Librarians: Thriving in the Public and Nonprofit World. Libraries Unlimited, 2017. ISBN: 978-1-4408-4170-5

Description
This guide shows librarians how to make the most of their inherent skills and develop new leadership strengths in order to become better library managers, advance their careers, and sustain their libraries—in spite of changing environments and shrinking budgets.

Table of Contents 

1. Why nonprofit and public sectors matter for library information service managers
2. Leading
3. Communication and persuasion
4. Authority, influence, and power
5. Boards
6. Vision, mission, and planning
7. Changing environment? Why it matters
8. Assessment, coordination, and quality
9. Fiscal
10. Fundraising
11. Managing projects
12. Advocacy, lobbying, marketing, and public relations
13. Political skills
14. Legal aspects 
15. Ethics in the workplace
16. Understanding oneself and others
17. Training and developing staff
18. Collaboration 
19. Negotiation 
20. Long-term career success

School Librarian as Curriculum Leader

Howard, Jody K. The School Librarian as Curriculum Leader. Libraries Unlimited, 2017. ISBN: 978-1-59884-990-5

Product Description
As one of the only books to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the multifaceted role of school librarians in student success, this instructional guide offers everything you'll need to develop, align, and evaluate curriculum with your library collection in mind.

This reference provides school library professors with strategies and tips for creating future school leaders out of current LIS students. Drawing upon her extensive experience as a school librarian, author Jody K. Howard heralds the library professional's role as information specialist, instructional partner, and curriculum advocate. Her insider's perspective is rich with tested strategies to help students seamlessly integrate the responsibilities of their multiple roles into daily activities.

The work explains the process of curriculum mapping and collection development with an eye on teaching these tools to those new to the profession. The content provides methods for developing guided inquiry lessons in collaboration with teachers, illustrates ways to develop leadership skills while aligning the collection with the curriculum, and offers strategies for working alongside curriculum committees and classroom teachers to build a cohesive educational program. The final chapter explores the roles and responsibilities of school librarians at the district, state, and national level.

Features

• Includes charts, tables, models, and discussion questions to aid school library professors
• Provides strategies for developing, aligning, and evaluating curriculum
• Features specific process examples for effective collection development
• Explains both horizontal and vertical curriculum mapping

Table of contents

Learning Transformed

Sheninger, Eric C., and Thomas C. Murray. Learning Transformed: 8 Keys to Designing Tomorrow's Schools, Today. ASCD, 2017.
ISBN: 978-1-4166-2389-2

This book is not about libraries, although one example is about libraries. One of the authors is involved in the Future Ready Schools initiative.

Product Description
With all that we know about how students learn, the nature of the world they will face after graduation, and the education inequities that have existed for centuries, maintaining a traditional, one-size-fits-all approach to teaching and learning is tantamount to instructional malpractice.

International security, the success of global economies, and sustainability as a global society all depend on the success of our education system in the years to come. It's our obligation to prepare our students for their future—not our past.

Authors Eric C. Sheninger and Thomas C. Murray outline eight keys—each a piece of a puzzle for transforming the K–12 education system of teaching and learning—to intentionally design tomorrow's schools so that today's learners are prepared for success . . . and stand ready to create new industries, find new cures, and solve world problems.

The traditional model of schooling ultimately prepares students for the industrial model of the past. If we want our students to become successful citizens in a global society, we must dramatically shift to a more personal approach. Failure is not an option. We can no longer wait. Let Learning Transformed show you how you can be a part of the solution.

The authors encourage you to use the hashtag #LT8Keys to continue the discussion online.

Table of contents