Succession Planning In The Library

As the baby boomer generation begins to retire, the focus shifts to the next generation of global leaders in diverse industries. Within the field of library science, succession planning has become a topic of interest to ensure the success of future libraries as the workforce shifts and enable up-and-coming leaders. Succession Planning and Implementation in Libraries: Practices and Resources provides valuable insight into the process of implementing succession planning in libraries. This book delves into the challenges and possibilities of a succession plan’s effect on the success of library organizations. Human resources officers, library administrators, academicians, and students will find this book beneficial to furthering their understanding of current practice in succession planning.

Offers advice to administrators of libraries of all sizes to dealing with succession planning and other aspects of change, detailing how to spot potential leaders, encourage professional growth, motivate employees, and develop high-quality performers.

Succession Planning in Canadian Academic Libraries explores the current Canadian academic library environment, and the need for succession planning in that environment. The literature review demonstrates the lack of reported succession planning activities in Canadian academic libraries. Site visits and in-depth interviews with professional librarians at six libraries across Canada highlight best practices and barriers to succession planning. These best practices and barriers are addressed in individual chapters, with tips and strategies for library leaders. Focuses on the Canadian academic library Includes a comprehensive literature review on succession planning in academic libraries Provides evidence-based approach to why succession planning is or is not happening in Canadian academic libraries

The Library and Information Science (LIS) literature has made clear that academic libraries in the U.S. have experienced decades of hiring freezes and budget cuts that reduced staffing overall and eliminated many middle management positions. Consequently, now that baby boomer library managers and administrators are beginning to retire, there are few qualified applicants to replace them. Thus, many in the LIS field have called for better succession planning by top-level library administrators (e.g., Deans, Directors, University Librarians). Few studies, however, have directly addressed this issue by examining these administrators' perceptions or behavior regarding succession planning. This study begins to fill this literature gap through semi-structured interviews with all 10 of the University Librarians (ULs) in the University of California (UC) system. The study employed a case study/cross-case analysis design; each participant-UL was considered a case. During data analysis, a within-case thematic analysis was conducted for each participant and then a cross-case analysis was undertaken to compare and contrast the ULs' perspectives on succession planning. A theoretical framework drawn from the field of sociology was used to better understand the perceptions and behavior of participant-ULs regarding this topic. This framework suggested examining the structure and culture of the context in which each UL worked, as well as the perceived agency of each participating UL. This study's findings suggest that structure, culture, and agency can significantly impact how and why the ULs engage or do not engage in succession planning. For example, the retirement pension for UC employees encourages long-term retention, which leads to low employee turnover. A static population may resist a ULs' attempts at cultural change. Thus, both low turnover and resistance to change can make succession planning a challenge for ULs. The results of this study contribute to both LIS literature and practice in at least two ways. First, this study's findings could be useful to other academic library administrators, given that the study identifies potentially transferable strategies that the ULs in the study are utilizing to succession plan. Second, this study helps further a conversation in the disciplinary literature about how and why to develop future library leaders.

This book examines current research related to succession planning strategies and tactics. The authors compare and contrast the rationale and processes needed for effective and efficient succession planning. This is a comprehensive endeavor exploring succession planning across today’s key disciplines: business, education, and healthcare. Succession planning is examined from the commercial, government, and non-profit lens. The book features active research, broad literature reviews, and examines conceptual frameworks. From this valuable contribution to succession planning research, readers will receive a thorough assessment of the theoretical foundations of succession planning and ethical considerations for sustainable leadership.

This comprehensive look at leadership development offers practical, ready-to-apply tools that practitioners can use at the organizational and individual levels to develop leadership potential among individuals already working within the library. * Offers a comprehensive look at library leadership and best practices for addressing current and impending leadership gaps with strategies for the individual, organizational, and association levels] * Acts as a how-to-guide for individuals interested in developing a leadership program within their library * Provides practical strategies on how to implement a localized leadership program

Leaders leave. It’s inevitable. It might even happen today. Are you prepared? Every organization needs a plan for leadership succession, but few leaders know how to start the process. WHO COMES NEXT? solves that problem and easily guides you through the steps of creating a viable succession plan. The book simplifies the process and gives you the tools you need to build and activate your leadership succession. Whether you are part of a small, family business or a Fortune 500 company, you need to start now by answering the question: WHO COMES NEXT? “This book is a comprehensive look at succession planning, but with a refreshing spin that favors the practical over the theoretical. It’s applicable to any industry, and readers will benefit from action items, tools, and resources with every chapter. Succession planning has never been more critical, and this book is a must-read for any professional looking to answer the question, “Who Comes Next?” --Michael Delucchi, President and Chief Elevation Officer, The Elevate Group “Meridith and Mary are my ‘go to’ experts for succession planning, and they’ve created the definitive guide for how to build a strong succession plan. In this book, they break it down, give you a strategy, and deliver everything you need to create leadership depth at every level of your organization.” --Angela Cox Weston, President, Midwest Speakers Bureau “Succession planning goes way beyond the person at the head of the company. Depth on the bench is essential to ensure an organization’s resiliency and contingency planning.” --Eric Holloway, Captain, U.S. Navy (ret)

This guide will help you identify the essential concepts and goals behind great leadership, and effectively implement each one into your library's organizational structure.