4th Edition
Staff Management in Library and Information Work
This standard text has been fully revised and updated for its fourth edition to reflect continuing technological changes, as well as issues such as social inclusion, lifelong learning and European employment legislation. Chapter 1 on the working environment has been completely rewritten. The present environment brings problems of staff motivation, de-professionalization and the loss of control: Chapter 2 reminds readers of basic motivation theories, now presented in a more logical sequence, and how to deal with such problems. Chapter 3 on workforce planning has been retitled Human Resource Planning and revised to take into account the modes of staffing appropriate for today's turbulent environment. Effective human resource planning requires excellent selection and recruitment procedures: best practice and developments in this area are explored in Chapters 4, Job Descriptions and Person Specifications, and 5, Recruitment and Selection of Staff. In Chapter 6 on staff appraisal more attention has been given to multi-rating approaches, such as 360° whereby different aspects of work can be assessed by different groups of people, and to appraisal of junior by senior staff. The last decade has seen increased emphasis on training and development to deliver high quality services in a climate of constant change. Chapter 7 has therefore been reordered and expanded in order to reflect new approaches and changes in this area. In Chapter 8, Staff Supervision and Interpersonal Skills, recent emphasis on leadership and counselling skills are reflected, as is the growing need to do more with less through enhanced time management and stress management techniques. With this new edition, this core guide brings professionals involved in managing library and information staff up to date with how to cope with the most pressing problems and challenges in today's fast-changing environment.
The working environment
Motivation and job satisfaction
Human resource planning
Job descriptions and person specifications
Recruitment and selection of staff
Staff appraisal
Staff training and development
Staff supervision and interpersonal skills training
References
Index
Biography
Peter Jordan, the author of the first three editions of this book, and of Gower's The Academic Library and Its Users, has had wide experience of lecturing and writing on library management. Now retired, he was Head of Reader Services at Manchester Metropolitan University Library, UK. Caroline Lloyd, the co-author of this edition, is Head of the Library and Archives service at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
’...It should continue to be a standard text for library management, and deservedly so.’ Library Association Record ’...comprehensive overview of current practice coupled with lots of good advice about how to devise and implement good staff management.’ Public Library Record '... a welcome addition to the professional's bookshelf. ...this books outstanding quality is as a practical handbook of management ideas, techniques and examples. It is ideal both for the new manager and the old hand who is open to new ideas and being refreshed on some old ones. It can be dipped in and out of as needs require and that is where its lasting value will be for many readers.' Managing Information (August 2003) 'The book is a useful practitioner handbook that is sufficiently accessible and rigorous in its academic grounding to act also as a useful introduction to students. This edition has been updated effectively, and should be on every library manager's book shelf, and from time to time on their desk.' (Emeral Journal) Journal of Documentation '...lots of very relevant and useful things here, to support training, to compare practice, to revisit fundamentals, to check on how things like appraisal and training are moving along. That is its strength and that is why it will sell well.' Library Review 'I would have to give this title 5/5. It is clearly and logically written and is applicable to managers in all library sectors. It brings existing managers up to date with new techniques as well as being an excellent introductory guide for the new manager. As someone who has only a few years managerial experience, I found the book inspiring. ...I would also highly recommend this to LIS students' Learning and Teaching Support Network (LTSN) for Information Computer Sciences (ICS)
