[Publib] Director Selection

[Buzzy Nielsen]

I wholeheartedly agree that library managers should be aware of what 
their libraries and librarians are doing. However, I can also see where 
a library might want someone with a broad range of other experience as 
well. Our professional training decently prepares us to be reference 
librarians, catalogers, archivists, and the like. What it fails to teach 
us are basic management skills. By the time you become director of a 
medium-to-large public or academic library, your responsibilities often 
belong more in the realm of public management than library science. It 
would be nice if we could encourage librarians to pursue more management 
training, as with the ALA's CPLA program. Perhaps such programs would 
increase the pool of qualified applicants for director positions.

Cheers!
Buzzy Nielsen
MSI/MPP candidate, 2008
University of Michigan


James Casey wrote:
>
> This may drift back to the old argument about whether the MLS 
> credential should be preferred or required for top executive positions 
> in public libraries (or in ALA itself). Patronage appointments are 
> among the most serious dangers facing libraries when professional 
> qualifications are cast aside in favor of “broadening the pool of 
> applicants”. Instead of getting a better variety of applicants, what 
> often happens is a convenient plumb job is effectively opened up for a 
> political ally and effective control of the Library passes one or the 
> other faction in a community. If professional qualifications are 
> required, this disastrous turn of events becomes far less likely. When 
> incompetent cronies suddenly gain control of library budgets they can 
> then hire/fire MLS staff without having the least idea about what they 
> do or why it may be important--- and it isn’t just big city libraries 
> or those with 250,000 population in the service area that are 
> affected. Many small towns end up having the same problem.
>
> Wherever possible, library director and ceo positions should require 
> Librarian credentials. Librarians should run libraries.
>
> Jim Casey – My own views.
>
> ALA Council Member
>