Mentoring each other: Creating a community of practice for aspiring and current library managers

Integrating formal management training into library school curriculum has been a topic of discussion for years, with varying progress. And in our experience, librarians are rarely given on the job before becoming managers. We need to find ways support new managers, helping them acquire skills handle interpersonal, economic, and political challenges. Human Resources departments can provide valuable policy procedures organization, but libraries have unique challenges that may not exist elsewhere campus. Librarians be asked manage faculty, staff, student workers. They arrange coverage service points, as well work an academic department. projects people from all parts Sometimes only other understand different dynamics situation. But when you’re manager, it awkward discuss specific concerns colleagues your organization. Meeting institutions provides comfortable level anonymity.