91´«Ã½

CHICAGO — A recent study published in the Journal of Library Administration draws a sobering conclusion: the accelerated exodus of library workers from the profession in the last several years is partially due to strained relationships between staff and their managers. Often, administrators and managers operate within structures that may encourage or enable poor managerial practices. “,” published by 91´«Ã½ Editions, shines a light on a different path forward for the field, one that focuses on the people who work in libraries and how their managers can support them with empathy and skill. Edited by Dani Brecher Cook, Maoria J. Kirker, and Diann Smothers, this collection stems from insights presented at the Conference on Academic Library Management (). The contributors illustrate what person-centered management looks like in practice and point the way toward implementing this approach at readers’ institutions. This book:

• incorporates a variety of institutional perspectives, including community colleges, technical and special colleges, liberal arts institutions, and large research universities;
• defines the concept of person-centered management in the context of libraries and explains why it offers such a valuable framework for improving workplace conditions;
• demonstrates why lack of workplace satisfaction and the low morale experience of library staff is often tied to the culture created by management;
• discusses building person-centered systems, interacting with student employees, setting healthy boundaries, and practicing reflection and self-care;
• shares positive, proactive management practices that create space for criticism, sharing of lived experiences, and a willingness to investigate and, if needed, make changes to the status quo; and
• explores such key topics as communication, working virtually, mentorship, intellectual humility, shared leadership, and many others.

Cook works as the associate university librarian for learning and user experience at the UC San Diego Library. Cofounder of CALM, she also coauthored the book “.” Dani has written and presented widely on information literacy teaching strategies and educational technology. Kirker is the teaching and learning team lead for George Mason University Libraries. Cofounder of CALM, her research focuses on teacher-librarian identity, the influence of social and cultural capital on academic library usage, and person-centered management in academic libraries. Smothers is a founding steering committee member for CALM. She previously served as the head of technical and digital initiatives for Dacus Library at Winthrop University and also presents on values creation in academic libraries.

purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library and information professionals worldwide. publishes resources used by library and information professionals, scholars, students, and educators to improve programs and services, build on best practices, enhance pedagogy, share research, develop leadership, and promote advocacy. 91´«Ã½ authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a variety of print and electronic formats. Contact 91´«Ã½ Editions | Neal-Schuman at editionsmarketing@ala.org.