I’ve been promising an update from a post near 4 weeks ago regarding advice for Library Graduates.* This post covers suggestions for those who want to move up the Library Ladder*; a skinny-hole of a thing to find, often thought to be a legend. If you thought getting a library job was difficult, try cracking upper-management/administration.
After all, there is only ONE Director per system. With only 255 library systems in the state of Ohio, well the math comes out to: 255 possible Director jobs- if you are in the right place (or willing to relocate) at the right time. The graduating class from Library school this past June probably had more than 255 people. Assistant Director positions are harder to come by- either they have been eliminated, or they never existed. Or, like the Director- Assistant Dir. will hang on for a good 10 years. The smaller the library system, the less of a hierarchy you will have. That might sound great until you realize just how many Executive hats you will wear, so proceed down that path as forewarned.
Obviously though, it can be done. My two friends from the NEO Workshop this past May on Climbing the Leadership Ladder, have reached the Director’s chair: Brian Hare of Reed Memorial Library and Cheryl Kuonen of the Wickliffe Public Library. Also, my lil’ sorority sis and library classmate and dorm buddy, Nieca Nowels, just landed a Director’s job at Marysville Public Library. A dream long- time in the making.
So, you’ve read this far because you are interested in moving up. I’ve made it to Branch Manager-land and I do have my eyes looking upward (Administration, not the sky). Here are 3 pieces of interwoven advice I came up with to get where I am today, and I feel strongly that it has been a good path for the next step.
1. You are known for seeing awesome opportunities out of problems and issues, and you take action.
- You graciously share your ideas and knowledge, and inspire everyone around you to do the same,
- Many things get you excited and this doesn’t look distracted or disjointed – quite the opposite, you are passionate!
You are not a whiner! The recession has touched libraries for sure. It’s been less than ideal for some time. The pay is stagnant, staffing’s under more than over, and funding’s not dependable. No one needs to hear it again… constantly. Especially someone who wants to move up. Who wants that on the leadership team? If you follow advice Number 1- your name will come up as someone who is doing and trying enthusiastically to fix things and/or make things better. So why not give you the power to fix it in the Leadership chair! ?
2. You are known for your “T Skills” (IDEO concept which means you know your field deeply, and you stretch out in knowledge by dabbling in other fields) and therefore are called upon for your breadth of knowledge. You can connect the dots. You can solve problems because you are looking at them from a different angle. You are lifted out and away from the library way of doing things mentality.
- You read far and wide- especially outside the library field. You read about placemaking, Museum practices, school and academic transformations, hacker and co-working spaces, start-up and entrepreneurial themes, human centered design, ethnography, UX, on and on.
In order to have Advice #1, you have to follow advice #2. By being broadly read, you’ve uncovered the crux of many problems and how they were solved (or attempting to be solved). This also can help you put some FUN back into work. Placemaking has me thinking of my library space differently- which was the seed that grew the new NatureConnect Space @ the library. Experimenting with Nina Simon’s (Director of the Santa Cruz MAH), model of “participatory program” model, charged up the staff. The entire staff here are having a grand ol’ time creating passive participatory programs that decorate every nook and cranny in this place. The environment is just that much more lively. Take that Googleplex!
Image may be NSFW.
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Image may be NSFW.
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Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
3. You are networked and engaged- both inside and outside the profession.
- You are connected with the organizations (Chamber, Kiwanis, Garden Club) and people (Mayor, Police Chief) in your neighborhood.
When you hear and understand the issues and concerns your local organizations and people face, then Advice 1 and 2 come into play. You are primed to lead your library in the right direction, one that aligns with the needs of the community which you’ll serve (and answer to).
Aside, it doesn’t matter that right now you work with the Chamber here but your next job could be 25 miles or an entire state away. The networking skills are transferable.
Image may be NSFW.
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So that means- take a deep breath for all the introverts out there. Saying you are shy and talking to people is just too difficult is something you’ll just have to get over. The library field is full of introverts- nothing wrong with that. I was once one myself. But, leaders need to connect (by talking and engaging) in order to move the library forward and being relevant to and in your community. You can’t do that sitting in an office.
So I wish all future library leaders out there all the luck. I just hope I don’t compete with you for the next level opening.
We read you,
Jen Stencel,
Richfield Branch Library
*This is my own advice and 1. is not a reflection of how my library selects candidates and so forth, nor 2. Do I claim it proof of success. Helpful- yes.
