Staff Development Strategies That Work!: Stories and Strategies from New Librarians

by American Library Association (Editor), Miguel A. Figueroa (Editor)

Wondering how to engage and inspire the next generation of library leaders? Here's a collection of success stories. As the profession's newest members take their places in our libraries, it's vital to learn what helps them grow as managers and leaders. Each chapter in this compelling, personal new work showcases new librarians sharing strategies that have ignited their professional development. This collection is inspiring for the new members of your library team and highly informative for management teams committed to building effective staff and professional development programs. The editors have strategically highlighted those practices and programs that work best in supporting emerging library leaders. To further support your library staff's growth, the editors recap the best practices and lessons. From building personal networks and creating innovative job descriptions to mentoring programs, organizing first-year experiences, and providing intensive training, this book will help you support your entry-level librarians, as they build effective leadership skills, assume greater responsibilities, and provide a valuable source of new energy and insight for your library community. If you're committed to engaging a new generation of library leaders and attracting the best and brightest to your institution, put this book at the top of your must-have list.

269 pages, Paperback

First published November 26, 2008

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Non-Fiction, Career Development - Librarians) Seventeen librarians share their career stories and insight on best staff development practices. The book had a nice layout with individual chapters and quick tips throughout the book. I really enjoyed Stephen Brooks chapter, where he shares his story of working paraprofessional positions before becoming a department head. The librarians I have met are quick to engage and share ideas; the librarians in this book are no different. They seek to share strategies from a variety of experiences to help new or experienced librarians develop into the best librarian they can be.

[Jessica]

I skimmed this title but it wasn't what I was looking for - I thought this would actually have strategies that I could implement laid out in a how-to format. this was a collection of stories from 17 different librarians and what they did in their own careers.

[Lesley]

skimmed through it -- wasn't at all what I was looking for.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Skimmed; it wasn't what I wanted. The book was written from entry-level librarian perspective, and it did not spend much time on paraprofessionals.