Library manager

Library managers supervise the correct usage of library equipment and items. They manage the provided services of a library and the operation of the departments within a library. Library managers also provide training for new staff members and manage the budget of the library.

The following job titles also refer to library manager:

library director
library services manager
public library manager
public library services manager
library administrator
head of library
library operations manager

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as library manager. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Library manager is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to library manager.

librarian
archivist
archive manager
information manager
rail operations manager

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of library manager. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of library manager with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of library manager.

Literature: The body of artistic writing characterized by beauty of expression, form, and universality of intellectual and emotional appeal.
Collection management: The process of resource evaluation, selection and life-cycle planning to create and promote a coherent collection in line with the developing needs of the users or customers. Understanding legal deposit for long-term access to publications.
Project management: Understand project management and the activities which comprise this area. Know the variables implied in project management such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.
Types of literature genres: The different literary genres in the history of literature, their technique, tone, content and length.

These skills are necessary for the role of library manager.

Manage digital libraries: Collect, manage and preserve for permanent access digital content and offer to targeted user communities specialised search and retrieval functionality.
Manage budgets: Plan, monitor and report on the budget.
Negotiate library contracts: Negotiate contracts for library services, materials, maintenance and equipment.
Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Confer with library colleagues: Communicate with colleagues and collaborators; make collection decisions and determine present and future library services to offer.
Provide library information: Explain the use of library services, resources and equipment; provide information about library customs.
Hire new personnel: Hire new personnel for a company or organisation payroll via a prepared set of procedures. Make staffing decisions and direct selection co-workers.
Liaise with colleagues: Liaise with fellow colleagues to ensure common understanding on work related affairs and agree on the necessary compromises the parties might need to face. Negotiate compromises between parties as to ensure that work in general run efficiently towards the achievement of the objectives.
Coordinate operational activities: Synchronise activities and responsibilities of the operational staff to ensure that the resources of an organisation are used most efficiently in pursuit of the specified objectives.
Supervise work: Direct and supervise the day-to-day activities of subordinate personnel.
Supervise daily library operations: Supervise daily library processes and operations, including budgeting, planning, and personnel activities such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
Buy new library items: Evaluate new library products and services, negotiate contracts, and place orders.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of library manager. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Music and video industry: Players and products available on the market in the video and music industry.
Copyright legislation: Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of library manager. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Manage human resources: Conduct employee recruitment, helping employees to develop their personal and organisational skills, knowledge, and competencies as well as providing feedback and performance appraisals. It includes motivating employees, by implementing rewarding systems (managing pay and benefit systems) in order to maximise employee performance with regard to employer’s strategic objectives.
Apply change management: Manage development within an organisation by anticipating changes and making managerial decisions to ensure that the members involved are as less disturbed as possible.
Evaluate library materials: Evaluate materials to determine whether they are outdated and should be replaced, or they are unused and should be discarded.
Assess informational needs: Communicate with clients or users in order to identify which information they require and the methods with which they can access it.
Analyse library users’ queries: Analyse library users’ requests to determine extra information; assist in furnishing and locating that information.
Apply for library funding: Compose proposals for new research or project grants.
Classify library materials: Classify, code and catalogue books, publications, audio-visual documents and other library materials based on subject matter or library classification standards.
Manage fundraising activities: Initiate fundraising activities managing the place, teams involved, causes and budgets.
Organise information: Arrange information according to a specified set of rules. Catalogue and classify information based on the characteristics of that information.
Participate in school programs on libraries: Plan and teach classes on topics like literacy, library instruction, and technology use.
Draw up professional texts: Compose and publish professional articles, internal documents, and instructional texts.
Manage digital archives: Create and maintain computer archives and databases, incorporating latest developments in electronic information storage technology.

1349 – Professional services managers not elsewhere classified

 

 

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References

1. Library manager – ESCO