leadership | Kathy Husser | Librarian & Entrepreneur

library-leadership

In most cases, leadership will look the same no matter what industry you find yourself in. However, there are some slight differences between varying fields. For instance, some leaders may have to take more hands-on roles than others. In the library industry especially, leadership is a sought-after skill in many candidates and existing employees. What exactly does library leadership look like, though?

Commitment to Their Work

Despite what some people may believe about libraries, the daily life of a library leader is often very busy. What keeps these leaders going each day is their commitment to their work, no matter how tiring it can become. Any leader should have a special dedication to their work, but library leaders especially need to stay dedicated to their work. As the world becomes more digital, it is more important than ever for these individuals to reimagine how their establishment can continue being the cornerstone of their community.

Innovative Techniques

There is a reason libraries continue to exist among the digital world. The internet has been in existence for quite some time now and may have tempted many individuals to discontinue their use of libraries. However, libraries are still standing strong amongst this competition, and this is largely due to the innovative leadership qualities of their management teams. Wanting to keep the magic of libraries alive, library leaders have had to creatively seek out ways to spark interest in what they offer while also keeping up with digital trends. Because of the innovative techniques poured out by library leaders, libraries have found a way to compete with new technologies while also keeping their timeless appeal for the oldies at heart.

Community Involvement

One of the biggest ways that library leadership stands out from other types of business leaders is their community involvement. Libraries have always been an integral part of their communities. They’ve been a place for parents to spend time with their children, for students to grab research materials, for at-risk youth to find a safe space, and so much more. Libraries have always hosted incredible learning opportunities and community outreach programs. While many other business leaders consider becoming involved in the community in small ways, library leadership constantly requires a steady involvement with the community. This intentional approach is what is sought out in many library leaders and employees in order to maintain the library’s ability to empower others and change lives.

library-leadership

There is a terrible tendency of those outside the field of library service and studies to consider the field increasingly obsolete in the age of the Internet. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. There are still many things that you can do to make sure that your library is and remains a great public space.

Community Assistance

The best libraries offer more than books. They are central nodes within the areas they serve, places where communities become “communities.” This can include everything from child care to income tax advice to university courses. Some even offer child care services. What after-school place for kids could be safer than a library?

Communication Assistance

Books represent a way of communicating with the past, and libraries allow myriad communication opportunities here in the present. Libraries can offer old TV and radio programs, and some have their own stations. In addition, some libraries offer translation programs, which can be invaluable if you need to have things translated for official purposes. They sometimes also offer foreign language and ESL classes.

Archived Info

History lives on in libraries. Old books, maps, periodicals, and other resources are ready to be examined for all your academic and cultural needs. What’s more, libraries often host cultural events, storytime for kids, traditional festivals, and much more.

Retail Hubs

Libraries are neutral and noncontroversial areas, which makes them perfect for people of different trades and walks of life to share the space and sell their wares. They are especially good for book or art markets and can also be a good place for farmers’ markets.

In addition, libraries offer WiFi, and for people who don’t have easy access to that themselves, this can be one of the few opportunities that they have to connect. This is another reason why they can be a good retail hub, allowing sellers to connect to free and fast Internet to facilitate sales.

Far from being obsolete, libraries at their best remain centers of learning and togetherness that can be the beating communal heart and intellectual and cultural lifeblood of a community.