I’m currently working behind the circulation desk in my local public libraries while I study to gain the dizzying heights of my information management qualification. On a side note, a year ago I would have said ‘librarian’ without even thinking. It’s funny how studying the industry made me realise just how diverse the information profession can be.

But yes, I work in a library, and one day I hope to achieve a seat in the secret back rooms where all the library magic happens. The one problem I’ve had so far with my course is probably a personal one – I’m worried about my role in administration.

I’m gradually coming to believe that librarians, like other information professionals in the business, don’t just smile sweetly at customers or catalogue the latest edition of a popular magazine. They deal with budgets, with purchases, with projects, with formal documentation that has legal implications. They deal, in short, with administration.

Customer service and representing the parent organisation (in this case my Local Council) is easy enough, though thankfully no one’s tried to hand off book returns to me as yet. There is an expectation of recognition, however. I’m ‘the girl behind the counter’, the one who nods and says something nice and knows what the procedure is for Problem A and where to find books by Author B. That’s almost the satisfying part of the job, in a way, and in my head, I started to wonder whether I really was ready, or even wanted, to past that part of working in a library.

And then I re-read your post. And I re-read what you said about transparency and in my head, I added accountability to that. Perhaps it’s safe to call it basic professionalism?

Then it clicked for me. Working in libraries can and should be professional. Enjoy it, yes, and enjoy the people you interact with, but remember that it is, like every other institution in the information profession, a business.

I’m reasonably sure that isn’t what you were trying to say. I’m not even sure if you’ll agree! But I wanted to say thanks for giving me a starting point to figure out my approach to the wonderful wide world of information management.

I was the director at a community college for 16 years, and until the last week I was there, I would have sworn I was liked and respected by my coworkers and that my job was secure. Then, like a Philip K. Dick story, it all turned out to be an illusion. In other words, I was fired. With very little warning.

What did I learn? Don’t ever believe you’re “not going anywhere.”

That aside, great post.

Your position on transparency is perfect! There should not be secrets–If you are unable to tell people the why of something, it is likely that you need to review the situation again. You can protect privacy and still be transparent. I wish all Public Employees would promote this goal. The secrets, whispers, closed doors, and hidden agendas poison the environment for no real reason (except maybe to retain control and power for the secret holder).

One last comment–I am surprised at how little support and/or training is given to managers (middle and upper) in this industry. Management is an entirely different skill set than being a good employee, yet simply being the best employee often results in being promoted. One of the comments mentioned taking a management course, please to anyone in a position of authority, do consider this. Audit a basic management class at a college near you–it is in expensive and will introduce you to management theory. This is an area of study that is very established and has great value, even if you are a great manager. Just as people have different learning styles, no one method of supervision will work for every employee (or situation). Being introduced to many tried and true methods will give you the tools to adapt as needed.

I am sure you going to be great a ‘Being the Man’. Thanks for a great post!

I’ve been a director for 7 years, all in small non-profit community libraries, which I love. I am absolutely always “on.” Books get renewed over restaurant tables and holds are placed in the grocery checkout line. I love that too, except when I hate it.

Sleeping does get better. There will always be budget seasons full of 2 am panic, and 4 am wakeups when you realize you forgot to send an email. After a while, though, you make peace with the fact that you will always need more money, space, and staff (because there is always one more wonderful thing you could give your community if only…). Either you come to peace with this, or you find another job.

One more bit of advice: reconnect regularly with what you love. You are a director now, which means you will spend a certain amount of time doing stuff that is no fun at all. Make sure you always have a way to reconnect strongly with the parts of librarianship you adore, the bits that set you dancing through the stacks, and make you smile. I stick to little community libraries because that means I can always get circ desk and patron time, and I can schedule myself for Story Hour sometimes.

Know what you love. Be ruthless about scheduling time to do it.

Have fun!