The Next Library Leadership by Peter Hernon

The Next Library Leadership by Peter Hernon

This much needed work addresses a topic of increasing importance and urgency: the shortage of individuals attracted to professional careers in librarianship, and the subsequent consequences for leadership positions, particularly library directorship. Through extensive interviews and a thorough review of the existing literature, the authors-all highly respected for their exceptional leadership and contributions to library science-assess what constitutes effective leadership and identify the traits needed by the next generation of academic and public library directors.

The authors argue that library directors must be both managers and leaders, and that LIS students and graduates need appropriate support in seeking out upper level positions and exercising leadership. They present tools for assessing leadership and suggest strategies that individuals can use to prepare themselves for leadership positions and the challenges that lie ahead. A detailed bibliography completes the work. An important contribution to the field of library and information science, this eye-opening study is essential reading for anyone in the profession.

PETER HERNON is Professor, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Simmons College, Boston, Editor in Chief of Journal of Academic Librarianship, Founding Editor of Government Information Quarterly, Co-Editor of Library & Information Science Research, and an internationally acclaimed author of numerous books in the area of government information.

RONALD R. POWELL is Professor, Library and Information Science Program, Wayne State University, and author of the popular textbook Basic Research Methods in Librarianship, soon to be in its fourth edition.

ARTHUR P. YOUNG is Dean of University Libraries, Northern Illinois University, editor of Beta Phi Mu Monographs, former editor of ACRL Publications in Librarianship, and the author of many books.