Overview

Creative Management of Small Public Libraries in the 21st Century is an anthology on small public libraries as centers of communities serving populations under 25,000 that make up most of the public library systems in the United States. A wide selection of topics was sought from contributors with varied backgrounds reflecting the diversity of small public libraries. The thirty-two chapters are arranged: Staff; Programming; Management; Technology; Networking; Fundraising; User Services and provide tools to lead a local public library with relevant and successful services. This volume shares a common sense approach to providing a small (in staff size or budget) but mighty (in impact and outcome) public library service. The contributors demonstrate that by turning the service delivery team outward to the community with enthusiasm and positive energy, it is possible to achieve significant results. Many chapters summarize best practices that can serve as checklists for the novice library director or as a review for the more seasoned manager working through new responsibilities. Chapters are tactical, focusing on specific issues for managers such as performance evaluations, effective programming, or e-reader services. Time management is crucial in a small or rural public library as well as the challenges associated with managing Friends and volunteers. While most public libraries do not have the resources to satisfy customer expectations for instant gratification, ultra-convenience and state-of-the-art technologies, The authors of this book details strategies and methods for providing top-notch customer service while moving beyond customer service to the creation of meaningful customer relationships. This volume makes an important contribution to the literature by reminding us that public libraries transform communities of every size. In fact, never before has the role of the public library been a more critical thread in the fabric of community life.

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9781442243552

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Reviews

This anthology offers helpful examples and advice every small library director can replicate from improving management skills to implementing current technologies, to better serve their constituents. -- Donna Brice, VP/President Elect of Association for Rural & Small Libraries, Inc. and Library Director of the Eastern Lancaster County Library, New Holland, Pennsylvania This collection addresses the needs well beyond the scope of a small library. Library professionals will find the wealth of essential information for planning, management, and implementation of a variety of services and everyday operations. -- Vera Gubnitskaia, Youth Services Manager, Orange County (Florida) Library System This anthology speaks to the challenges and triumphs of working in small public libraries, providing tested tools and techniques that yield proven results. -- Kerol Harrod, librarian, Denton Public Library, Denton, Texas A go-to resource that supports the unique role of small public libraries in serving their local communities. -- Lisa Fraser, Services Implementation Coordinator, King County Library System, Washington Management in libraries matters and this resource details how to do it creatively, practically. -- Vandella Brown, contributor: Mentoring in Librarianship (McFarland)

This anthology offers helpful examples and advice every small library director can replicate from improving management skills to implementing current technologies, to better serve their constituents. -- Donna Brice, VP/President Elect of Association for Rural & Small Libraries, Inc. and Library Director of the Eastern Lancaster County Library, New Holland, Pennsylvania This collection addresses the needs well beyond the scope of a small library. Library professionals will find the wealth of essential information for planning, management, and implementation of a variety of services and everyday operations. -- Vera Gubnitskaia, Youth Services Manager, Orange County (Florida) Library System This anthology speaks to the challenges and triumphs of working in small public libraries, providing tested tools and techniques that yield proven results. -- Kerol Harrod, librarian, Denton Public Library, Denton, Texas A go-to resource that supports the unique role of small public libraries in serving their local communities. -- Lisa Fraser, Services Implementation Coordinator, King County Library System, Washington Management in libraries matters and this resource details how to do it creatively, practically. -- Vandella Brown, contributor: Mentoring in Librarianship (McFarland)

Author Information

Carol Smallwood received a MLS from Western Michigan University, MA in History from Eastern Michigan University. Librarians as Community Partners: an Outreach Handbook; Bringing the Arts into the Library are recent ALA anthologies. Others are: Women on Poetry: Writing, Revising, Publishing and Teaching (McFarland, 2012); Marketing Your Library (McFarland, 2012); Library Services for Multicultural Patrons: Strategies to Encourage Library Use (Scarecrow Press, 2013). Her library experience includes school, public, academic, special, as well as administration and being a library systems consultant.

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