Staffing the Modern Library

Is your library the same institution it was 10 years ago? Of course not--but the question is: how can you recruit, develop, and maintain an effective and adaptable staff that can meet the needs of your community? Cohn and Kelsey explore the changes that libraries have undergone since the advent of technology and the Web, and provide new personnel and organization strategies for libraries. They offer guidance on establishing a “lean” library organization, defining 21st century library competencies, developing competency-based job descriptions, accomplishing goals through staff development, utilizing outsourcing and insourcing, and planning multi-faceted strategies. Each chapter presents practical worksheets, tables, and tools for day-to-day use by administrators. Special sections on “Providing 24/7 Reference Service,” “Maintaining Local Electronic Systems,” “Establishing an Internet presences,” and “Developing a Digital Collection” offer examples of how the book’s concepts can be applied to some of today’s most challenging and common scenarios. Library administrators seeking solutions for the critical service issues their libraries face in the 21st century will want to keep this manual nearby.