It’s back to school today. This quarter’s class is Managing Information Organizations. I’ll be learning about all kinds of management theory and techniques and how to apply them to a library setting. We’ll be covering things like leadership, communication, human resources, decision-making, planning, and some project management. I currently work with several managers who could use a class like this.
According to my instructor, about 80% of those who graduate with an “MS (LIS)” move into management positions within two years. That is a surprisingly short length of time and I wonder since he put the “LIS” in parenthesis if the number applies to those with a master of science in general. I wonder because from what I have read and heard there is a shortage of librarians willing to move into management. The ALA even offers professional development classes and a sort of leadership certification program in an attempt to get librarians interested and help them improve their skills.
The class has, as you might imagine, a lot of reading. I felt the wheels of my personal reading screeching to a halt as I looked over the syllabus. Besides the two books I had to buy for class, there are plenty of journal articles to read. Thankfully, however, we do not have to read Who Moved My Cheese or anything like that. In addition to all the reading, there are four assignments. The big final assignment is a dreaded group project and is worth a quarter of my final grade. I don’t mind group projects if they don’t have much consequence, but I hate that my grade depends so much on other people. Hopefully I will get a good group. Stay tuned.
But now, what you all have really been waiting for, the winners of a free issue of Bookforum. With the help of Random.org because the cats were too busy bathing each other to care about helping me, the five winners are: Danielle, Cam, Melanie (teabird), Colin Matthew the Book Pirate, and Iliana.
Congrats!
Don’t forget everyone can get a discount on a year’s subscription, $12 instead of the usual $16 (US). If you are international you can get a discount too. If you want a discount subscription, be sure to email me by the end of January.
Thank you!
This class of yours sounds extremely interesting. I’d love to move into management, but there are no possibilities for me. What’s on your syllabus? When I did my MLS we had one class on management but I don’t remember a thing about it now.
Oh back to school! It comes around so quick, doesn’t it? My husband went back on Monday, my son goes back tomorrow and I’m going to feel a bit lonely. It’s been lovely having everyone on holiday. I guess this means I must go back to work myself.
I hope your school reading goes by surprisingly fast and leaves you with a decent amount of time for fun reading! And I so agree about group projects. I have my students work in groups, but not on projects that are a big part of the grade. That’s just too cruel, I think!
I hope you get a great group.
Thank you Stefanie & Random.org
Good luck on the new class. I always loved the start of a new semester.
melanie, you’re welcome! Enjoy!
Melanie, we have two books, Developing Management Skills and Budgeting for Managers. Then there will be lots of journal articles. Topics we will cover include systems thinking, managerial style, management vs leadership, communication, problem solving, conflict resolution and more! I’d be happy to email you the syllabus if you are interested.
Litlove, the time flew. I hope you don’t feel too lonely with your men going back. Enjoy the quiet before you have to go back too.
Dorothy, I second your hope! And if it doesn’t go fast I hope it is at least interesting. What a nice teacher you are not making group projects a big part of the grade.
Iliana, enjoy!
Lisa, thanks! Starting a new class always has that delightful sense of anticipation and possibility, doesn’t it?
Good luck on your new class and I hope you get a good group of students to work with. Many thanks again for the issue of Bookforum–looking forward to reading it.
Many thanks for the issue of Bookforum. I look forward to reading it. Good luck with the class — and your new job.
Danielle, thanks! It has been a week of introducing ourselves to each other in class and it seems like a good bunch of students. My group fears are lessoning a little. I hope you enjoy your Bookforum!
Cam, thank you and happy reading!