Leadership in Academic Libraries Today

Connecting Theory to Practice

Edited by Bradford Lee Eden, Jody Condit Fagan

Hardback - £91.00

Publication date:

14 March 2014

Length of book:

234 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9781442232594

Leadership in Academic Libraries highlights model examples of the move from leadership theory into actual practice. A consideration of leadership theories provides a working vocabulary to facilitate discussions of abstract concepts, while specific topical investigations and case studies illustrate those concepts and show the manner in which theories play out in practice. Chapter authors speak from experience as well as theoretical grounding, and include practitioners, researchers, and formal and informal leaders. Topics include transformational leadership across generations; developing a research agenda in library leadership; methodologies for studying library leadership; connections between leadership models and library-focused research; engaging with business, psychology, and educational administration literature; leadership styles; organizational culture; the role of mentoring in leadership; and the role of women in academic library leadership. Two chapters highlight the dichotomy between positional leadership and socially constructed leadership roles. The research methods used include case study, survey, and action research. Extensive bibliographies for each chapter provide a solid foundation for further research.
Upon initially glancing through this book, I immediately found the content valuable and engaging. This may sound a little extravagant, but let me explain. As the journal Editor of Library Management I have published a lot of articles dealing with library management. Library Management has published many excellent articles of good practice, excellent programmes, leadership ideas and ideals and ‘how we done it good’ articles. I do not mean to de-value any of this. But I have been yearning for something more. This book provides a link between theory and practice, between practice outside and within libraries, and other quite different perspectives on this profession and leadership. The early chapters provide a context in which practice is established and operated within a theoretical framework. The framework can provide a validation of the exercise, but can also provide an extension or re-working of that framework. . . .Every library should acquire this book and circulate it amongst their professional staff seeking ideas for local projects and practice. It will surely stimulate both and perhaps create more chapters for the extension of this very worthwhile tome.