An updated handbook on the fundamentals of library supervision
For Immediate Release
Wed, 05/03/2017
Contact:
Rob Christopher
Marketing Coordinator
ALA Publishing
American Library Association
(312) 280-5052
CHICAGO — Mentor, creator, monitor, and negotiator: these are some of the roles a supervisor must play, and wearing that many hats is a challenge that requires discipline and organization (and a healthy sense of humor). The third edition of Beth McNeil’s “Fundamentals of Library Supervision,” published by ALA Editions, is a newly updated and revised edition of a classic text that will give you the grounding to supervise, manage, and lead with confidence. A perfect handbook for those just moving into a supervisory position, and a welcome refresher for current managers, this resource focuses on daily, real-world issues, offering
- discussion of how to foster a positive work environment by determining the character of your organization;
- dozens of sample interview questions suitable for different contexts, and other pointers on the hiring process;
- advice on supervising all different kinds of employees, from those with “structural” personalities to creative types;
- tactics for leading productive and focused staff meetings;
- guidance on how to develop shared accountability, overcoming the decision dilemma so common in group settings, and other strategies for building successful teams;
- easy to follow tips for making email a genuine productivity tool;
- methods for meeting deadlines through backward planning;
- 11 steps for developing a clear and balanced performance appraisal;
- techniques for actively addressing complaints; and
- examples of non-monetary staff rewards such as flexible scheduling, job enrichment, and celebrations.
McNeil is professor and dean of the library at Iowa State University. Prior to joining Iowa State in 2015, she served in associate dean roles at Purdue University and at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Her other publications include “Patron Behavior in Libraries” (1996) and “Human Resource Management in Today’s Academic Library” (2004).
ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide. ALA Editions publishes resources used worldwide by tens of thousands of library and information professionals to improve programs, build on best practices, develop leadership, and for personal professional development. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a growing range of print and electronic formats. Contact ALA Editions at (800) 545-2433 ext. 5052 or editionsmarketing@ala.org.