Leading Change
One of the most significant changes I have experienced professionally was the consortial decision to migrate to a new Integrated Library System (ILS) in 2013. Everyone knew this was going to be a huge change - our back end and front end of services were just about to look and work entirely differently. My colleagues and I on our Public Services Team developed training intended to provide our library staff with a more solid understanding of why the consortium had made this decision, how to talk to our patrons about it, and how to support each other and ourselves during what was sure to be a difficult transition. The foresight in providing this training proved invaluable as we discovered that the shift was even more difficult on us and our patrons than anticipated. This experience reiterated that leadership requires being proactive about preparing staff for change.
In an effort to help consortium members in later cohorts also prepare for implementation we presented our work at the 2013 ACRL WA/OR joint conference in a session titled CAREful change: Supporting users and each other through times of significant change and I also later presented the work at WWU's 2014 Unconference.
In an effort to help consortium members in later cohorts also prepare for implementation we presented our work at the 2013 ACRL WA/OR joint conference in a session titled CAREful change: Supporting users and each other through times of significant change and I also later presented the work at WWU's 2014 Unconference.
Supervising Staff & Student Employees
The first time one of my employees retired he told me, "You're a good boss because you can be a good friend but you can also get stuff done." Ultimately that is the kind of boss I want to be. Providing leadership where employees feel supported while they also know what is expected of them is imperative in achieving personal, departmental, and institutional goals.
Another colleague recently told me that I had a real knack for hiring student workers, and indeed this is something I take pride in. I have revamped our hiring and evaluation procedures so students are exposed to a process similar to what they will experience when they graduate. I make sure they know that one of the most important parts of my job is teaching them how to be good employees. My work with student workers and our broader student population, one of the most diverse in the nation, prepares me to work with colleagues and patrons of all backgrounds.
Another colleague recently told me that I had a real knack for hiring student workers, and indeed this is something I take pride in. I have revamped our hiring and evaluation procedures so students are exposed to a process similar to what they will experience when they graduate. I make sure they know that one of the most important parts of my job is teaching them how to be good employees. My work with student workers and our broader student population, one of the most diverse in the nation, prepares me to work with colleagues and patrons of all backgrounds.
Professional Development
When I was hired as Access Services Manager at the Campus Library the State of Washington and the UW were experiencing a major budget crisis. While doing more with less only highlights the need for professional development, funding was and is tight. In order to demonstrate the importance of continuing staff development and provide realistic opportunities I compiled a list of free or low cost training options. This is a work in progress and I supplement it by distributing information about other opportunities which I actively seek through listservs and professional organizations.
I take my own professional development seriously and consider it vital in cultivating my own leadership skills. I take advantage of low-cost opportunities such as webinars and local or on-campus technology, leadership, and diversity workshops. We are fortunate to work in a field brimful of innovation and curiosity, thus I also professional conferences where I can both soak it all in and share my own expertise and experiences. In fact, in August 2016 I will be presenting at the National Diversity in Libraries Conference on walking in solidarity with students on campus.
I take my own professional development seriously and consider it vital in cultivating my own leadership skills. I take advantage of low-cost opportunities such as webinars and local or on-campus technology, leadership, and diversity workshops. We are fortunate to work in a field brimful of innovation and curiosity, thus I also professional conferences where I can both soak it all in and share my own expertise and experiences. In fact, in August 2016 I will be presenting at the National Diversity in Libraries Conference on walking in solidarity with students on campus.