A comprehensive handbook for small public library management

CHICAGO — Most libraries in the US are small in size and rural in location. And, since most of them don’t require a degree to be hired as Library Director, many new hires step into the position with limited management or librarianship experience. Published by ALA Editions, the new second edition of “Small Public Library Management” will quickly get new directors up to speed on managing staff, drafting budgets, crafting policies, overseeing a building and its collections, and strengthening the library’s place in the community. Cindy Fesemyer and Christina Jones, with years of small library management experience between them, offer expert guidance on all those topics and many more besides. Small public library directors at all stages of their career, as well as their board members and library trustees, will:

• benefit from this handbook’s up-to-date perspectives on what it takes to run your library in today’s post-pandemic, politically polarized, technologically advanced, socially isolated world;
• receive to-the-point advice on governance, strategic planning, human resources, policy development, facilities, services and programs, and other foundational tasks;
• become informed on how to safeguard intellectual freedom, handle challenges to materials and programming, and protect patron privacy;
• get pointers on broadening their personal network, understanding what outside resources are available, and spearheading effective advocacy and community engagement;
• learn from real-life “Success Stories” and “On the Job” words of wisdom sprinkled throughout the text; and
• find adaptable templates, self-enrichment activities, and other tools to facilitate ongoing professional development.

Examination copies are available for instructors who are interested in adopting this title for course use.

Fesemyer is the principal of Fesemyer Consulting. Her areas of expertise include community engagement, staff and trustee training, strategic planning, and meeting facilitation. Cindy served for seven years as the director of the Columbus (WI) Public Library, which was a finalist for Library Journal’s 2017 Best Small Library in America award. Cindy served for eight years as a trustee for the Madison Public Library and has taught academic and continuing education courses at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s iSchool. She was also the community services consultant for the Wisconsin State Library, and she sat on the board of the Public Library Association.

Jones currently serves on the Monona (WI) Public Library’s board. She formerly worked as a community engagement librarian at the Madison Public Library and also served as director of the Altoona (WI) Public Library. Christina is particularly interested in collections, community engagement, and strategic planning, and how libraries can help facilitate connection and community cohesiveness.

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