Library Leadership Podcast

How do we engage in work that is intentional and makes the best use of our limited time and energy? On this show Rebekah Cummings, Digital Matters Interim Director at the University of Utah Marriott Library, talks about Selecting Your Yes with Intention in order to do good things in our communities while also taking care of ourselves and engaging in work that best utilizes our capacities.

Have you ever wondered how to help customers navigate information in an age of so many people making so many claims? On today's show Heath Stanfield, Manager of the McAlester Public Library in Oklahoma, takes us back to basics to examine classical models of logical fallacies that can help us help our customers find high-quality information.

In leading our libraries towards success how can emotional intelligence play a role? On this show Jen Nelson, State Librarian of New Jersey, shares how our capacity to know ourselves, appropriately express our emotions, and handle our work relationships with empathy makes us more effective - and how this is accessible to everyone.

How do we provide supportive management for people with disabilities in our workplaces? On this show Katie Manwiller, Education Librarian & Assistant Professor at West Chester University Libraries in Pennsylvania, Sammy Peter, Chair of Research and Instruction at the University of Wyoming, and Kiyomi Deards, Chair of the Libraries Faculty at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln talk about what we need to know to support people of all abilities working in our organizations.

What benefits might we see working on projects and supporting teams if we are able to decenter ourselves and empower others? On this show Erin Leach, Head of Administrative Projects and Organizational Effectiveness at University of Georgia Libraries, talks about what it takes to be an effective leader who puts others forward to create successful outcomes.

What do we do when things are changing around us but we are not the ones in charge? On this show Catherine Soehner, Associate Dean for Research and Director of the Eccles Health Sciences Library at the University of Utah, talks about the dynamics of change and how we can react according to our roles, all the while influencing the change process for better results.

How can we successfully manage volunteers in our libraries? On this show Maggie Rose, PR & Marketing Associate at the Barberton Public Library in Ohio, shares strategies for success on how to recruit, integrate, and recognize volunteers and even thoughts on what to do if something goes wrong.

How can we operate effectively in the workplace without overextending? On this show Kiyomi Deards, Chair of the Libraries Faculty at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Leo Lo, Dean and Professor at the College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences at the University of New Mexico, talk about how to be generous without being a doormat. Thinking about ways to align actions with appropriate boundaries and priorities can help all of us be more effective in our work.

How often do we think to ourselves that if we only had time for wellness we could do so much better in our careers? On this show Laura Summers - Associate Clinical Professor and Program Leader for Leadership in the P-12 Libraries Program at the University of Colorado, Denver - talks about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness for Librarians. A commitment to taking care of ourselves truly can benefit us and our organizations.

What knowledge do library directors need to be effective? On this show Michele Stricker, Deputy State Librarian of Library Development in New Jersey, shares the essentials of library director training developed through her agency to provide effective leadership support in her state. She talks about the essentials that library directors need to know in managing staff, working with boards, influencing elected officials, working with communities, and more.

What effect does worker engagement have on the success of our organizations and what can be done to increase it? On this show, Elaina Norlin, Professional Development Coordinator for the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries and author of The Six Step Guide to Worker Engagement, talks about what it means when people are disengaged in the workplace. She shares the elements that increase the likelihood of people being truly engaged and happy in their work, which sets both workers and libraries up for success.

Have you ever been asked a question at the library and suddenly didn't know what to say? On this show Brittany Davis and Kevin Jones, Librarians at Eastern Kentucky University Libraries, share ways that comedy and improv can help. By knowing and practicing improvisational techniques librarians can be prepared to think outside the box when faced with the unexpected. It's a lighthearted way to enhance the work we do in libraries.

How do we deal with the current climate of censorship facing libraries? On this show Alison Macrina, Director of Library Freedom Project, talks about the state of censorship in the US as coordinated efforts take place to remove materials from the shelves of libraries. She shares what we need to understand about those actively opposing materials in our libraries, how to respond to protect ourselves, and how to prepare for this issue with staff, boards, and other stakeholders.

What do you do when you apply for a position and don't get it? On this show Sarah O'Shea, Head of Youth Services at the Tompkins Public Library in New York, shares how though this can feel like a set-back there are ways to move forward that allow for self-care, regrouping, and coming back with new focus and strength.

How often do you find yourself feeling out of your depth in the workplace? On this show Erin Collier-Plummer, Youth Services Manager at the Winter Park Library in Florida, talks about Imposter Syndrome – what it is and isn't, how it can affect careers, and what to do about it.

Why is it important for you to engage your community in voter and civic engagement and how can your library do this? On this show Kian Flynn, Geography and Global Studies Librarian at the University of Washington in Seattle, talks about National Voter Registration Day and the opportunity it provides each September for libraries to help strengthen our democracy. He includes a myriad of resources that all of us can use for planning and implementing successful voter and civic engagement activities for the benefit of all.

What do you do if you want your strategic plan to grow with your organization? On this show Amanda Standerfer, Consultant at Fast Forward Libraries, and Gerry Vogel, Assistant Director at Avon Lake Public Library, talk about how we can make our strategic plans learn. Just having a plan doesn't mean success. We can use the information in this podcast to implement plans that are learning-focused.

Have you ever thought that the time spent planning took away from actually getting things done? On this show Anya Feltreuter, Director of the Mjölby Public Library in Sweden, shares how less planning and more action took her team out into the field to get things done. Doing this they were able to succeed at getting people to start using the library, building relationships, and getting her organization seen in a new light. You can, too.

Have you ever wondered if there was a way you could slow down in your professional life while engaging in more meaningful work? On this show Meredith Farkas, Faculty Librarian at Portland Community College, shares how we can do this using slow librarianship - a concept with the characteristics of being good, humane, and thoughtful. It's not about creating mediocrity. It's about engaging in our best and most meaningful work.

How do we navigate the role of middle management that so many of us find ourselves in at one time or another in libraries? On this show Amanda Scull, Head of Education and Information Services at Dartmouth College Biomedical Libraries, shares why this can be a tough spot to be in and ways to handle the dual position of day-to-day operations plus administrative responsibilities. This conversation gives practical steps that all of us can use for navigating middle management.

What does it take to achieve successful job searches? On this show Bill Humbert, Chair of the Park City Library Board in Utah, shares inside knowledge from 40+ years as a national recruiter. With so many changes taking place in the current job market this is invaluable information.

If you could find a way to support others in your organization, increase engagement, and improve performance and commitment all while deepening levels of understanding would you do it? On this show Vera Keown, Organizational Development Librarian at the University of Manitoba, talks about Coaching in the Workplace and what we can do to successfully implement skills that make these kinds of benefits possible.

How can we manage change when it is so frequent in libraries? On this show Lynn Hoffman, Director of Operations at the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey, shares the brain-based reason why when we are asked to change, then change more, then change again we can feel a high level of resistance. While it can be an exciting time as libraries reimagine ourselves, this episode teaches us how to avoid change overload.

What can you do to create a winning team culture in your organization? On this show Amy Stalker, Associate Department Head at the Dunwoody Campus Library at Georgia State University, talks about ways we can develop a team culture that helps us want to go to work and helps make work a place where our teams want to be.

Have you ever wondered what the application of kindness can do in our library practices? On this show Dr. Sarah Clark, Dean & University Librarian at La Salle University and Founder of the Kind Leadership Guild and the Kind Leadership Challenge Podcast, opens up about how a crisis in her own leadership caused her to do a deep dive into kind leadership, what it is, and how we can all challenge ourselves to grow in this realm for the betterment of our organizations.

We have all heard a lot lately about the waves of book bannings happening across our country, reaching levels not seen in decades. What exactly is the American Library Association seeing out in the field? On this show Tracie D. Hall, Executive Director of the American Library Association, shares what is driving these efforts at book banning, what materials are being most challenged, why reporting censorship is vital to protecting the freedom to read, and what actions we can all take to protect the freedom to read.

What does your organization need to do to prepare for succession planning? On this show Carolyn Schubert, Director of Research and Education Services at James Madison University Libraries, shares ways we can prepare for organizational change and why now is the time to begin thinking about this.

Do you prepare for handling ethics situations in your library before they arise? On this show Gail Santy, Maribeth Shafer, and Patty Collins from the Central Kansas Library System share why this is a good idea and how to do it. When you are faced with a situation that challenges core policies and library ethics you will be ready if you apply the practical advice offered in this conversation.

On this show Jamie LaRue, CEO and Founder of LaRue and Associates, shares a distinctive way our organizations can move from being library-centric to being community-centric by cataloging the community. It's a way we can take the classic library skills of cataloging, reference interviews, and database creation to the next level to create a powerful way to serve our communities.

Why does customer service matter? On this show Asti Ogletree, Operations Manager at the East Central Arkansas Regional Library at the Cross County Branch, jumps right into this topic to explore just why customer service matters and how we can help our library teams make it happen. You won't want to miss this conversation on what to do when we feel like scattering when a difficult patron walks through the door or even how to create "inspiration stations" to help us be our best selves when we are helping people.

What are effective ways we can implement staff development on any budget? On this show Tiffany Hayes, Director of Library Development at the South Carolina State Library shares thoughts on this topic. All libraries have staff learning needs that can benefit from this conversation. From effective learning design to developing a plan for our own library with clear objectives and outcomes, the ideas shared here will help all of us implement effective staff development on any budget.

What do we do in libraries when patrons sexually harass staff? On this show, I speak with Katie McLain Horner, Head of Circulation and Reference at the Lake Bluff Public Library. She shares why personal experiences dealing with this issue led her to think and write about ways to support staff who experience this troubling problem. On this episode we learn how not to respond to sexual harassment, what steps to take if is someone reports an incident, how this can be especially sensitive for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ members of our staff, how important it is to ask staff what they need in these situations, and even what the documenting of sexual harassment incidents should look like.

What are policies of yes and how might they help us serve our user groups? On this show Jennie Garner, Director of the North Liberty Library, shares what it means to think about policies in a way that creates flexibility, inclusion, empathy, and allyship with those we serve while including staff in policy development and training in a way that gets everyone to yes.

How can we overcome the feeling of being overwhelmed and intimidated when moving into a new role of being in charge? On this show Suzanne Macaulay, Deputy Director of the Pioneer Library System in New York, talks about ways to overcome these feelings as well as how to avoid some common mistakes of new leadership. She shares the importance of support networks and professional development, and what new leaders bring to the table. We are all new to roles of being in charge at some point. Listening to this conversation will help anyone finding themselves in that situation to set off on the right foot. Enjoy the show!

Are there ideas that libraries can take from the business world to create success? On this show I speak with Elektra Greer, Director of the Nederland Community Library in Colorado, about Shark Tank lessons for libraries. She discusses what it might look like to pitch our ideas for funding and support using lessons from entrepreneurs that add value, help develop services, and bolster marketing techniques. It's an intriguing conversation that provides insights into entrepreneurial success that we can apply in our libraries.

What causes low morale in libraries? On this show I talk with Kaetrena Davis Kendrick. She's a researcher, facilitator, and leader in libraries who was recognized in 2019 as the ACRL Academic Research Librarian of the Year. Her findings revealed a disturbing level of abuse in libraries and a lack of institutional support to resolve these situations. She shares with us important insights from her work on low morale in libraries, how it particularly affects BIPOC members of our organizations, and ways we can transform ourselves and our libraries to inclusively honor the lived experiences of library workers.

How does trauma impact the lives of those we serve in libraries? On this show I speak with Tiffany Russell. She's a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked in libraries delivering trauma-informed service. She shares what a trauma-informed approach can look like in assisting people and creating safe spaces for everyone - along with what resources, partnerships, and advocacy we need to do this work.

How do we implement award-winning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training in our libraries? On this show Rosy Wagner, Lifelong Learning Librarian for the Burlington County Library System, shares what her organization did to win the EBSCO Information Services Library Staff Development Award to do just this. It's something from which we all can learn.

Have you ever experienced stress and burnout in the workplace? These can take a huge toll on all of us, yet we don't often take the time to work on ways to overcome this. On this show Amanda Moore, Library Stress and Management Consultant, shares ways we can beat burnout. It's an important topic that I hope everyone in libraries will tune in for. Enjoy the show!

What are the benefits of developing your professional reputation in libraries? On this show, Megan Hodge, Head of Teaching and Learning at Virginia Commonwealth University, shares ways that we can get our work and names out in the profession along with how this can help our careers.

How do we ensure our libraries perform well and make informed decisions about strategic direction? On this show, Dr. Larry Nash White, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Library in Oklahoma City, discusses how organizational performance information successfully guides the accomplishment of our mission, vision, and goals.

On this show we get tips from Sunnie Scarpa - Library Director of the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library in Madison, Connecticut - who shares ways to talk so your boss will listen with dos and don'ts, how to prepare for conversations, how to create fresh starts - and even tips for the bosses themselves.

So, you want to be a manager? Or, maybe you already are a manager and want to do the best job possible in your management practice. Then this show is for you. On this episode of Library Leadership Podcast I speak with Austina Jordan, Head of Access Services at the University of North Georgia, who helps us explore the essentials of management including ways to integrate adaptive leadership, set expectations, fairly apply policies, and even avoid common mistakes we can make as managers. Ultimately, we want happy employees. This episode will help us get there.

The Library Code of Ethics - it's foundational to our profession. Yet, how often do we stop to think about what those are, how they affect staff, and ways that we create our policies and procedures using these ethics? On this episode we do just that speaking with Annie Gaines, Continuing Education Consultant for the Idaho Commission for Libraries. She shares all of this plus information on a new article that's been recently added to the American Library Association's Code of Ethics.

What is User Experience and how can it help us support our communities? On this show I speak with Lauren Stara, Library Building Specialist for the State of Massachusetts. She shares what is behind the User Experience movement and how getting out of our own heads and into those of our users can lead us to advancements that will take our libraries with fresh eyes into the future.

It is the email you hope to never get. Your library funding is on the chopping block. What are we to do when something like this happens in our library? On this episode I speak with Jennifer Heneke, Chief Engagement Officer at St. Joseph Public Library in Indiana. She shares what happened when this scenario came to pass in her organization and how they fought back, plus the lessons that were learned that can help all of us in libraries.

We are rebuilding from Covid-19. Given all that we have been through, how do we prepare for the future together with our Friends of the Library? On this show I speak with Krista Riggs, Director of the Madera County Library in California. She shares the ways we can create a sense of alignment between the Library and the Friends of the Library, and how being intentional in the development of this relationship let's us all play for the same team.

What is the role of libraries in dismantling disinformation? Libraries have long held public trust and been cornerstones for providing reliable information sources. On this show I speak with Barbara Alvarez, instructor and author of Embedded Business Librarianship for the Public Librarian. She shares the importance of libraries leading the way in dismantling disinformation by describing what it is and giving a background on the roots of disinformation, as well as how to partner within our communities to take on the disinformation-dismantling role through the creation of actionable and purpose-driven engagement in this area. It is an important topic for everyone to consider.

How do we effectively engage in grant writing as librarians? On this show, I speak with Julie Edwards, Librarian and Instructional Designer with Niche Academy. She shares practical steps and strategies for our libraries for writing grants, and even what to do when you don't get one.

We all know that strategic planning is important. But how do we do it effectively? On this show I speak with Stu Wilson, Principal Consultant with Library Strategies Consulting Group. He shares insights on strategic planning and what it does for our organizations. We talk about why the process of writing a strategic plan is important and how to have success while avoiding missteps.