Workplace culture refers to conditions that collectively influence the work atmosphere. These can include policies, norms, and unwritten standards for behavior. This book focuses on various aspects of workplace culture in academic libraries from the practitioners' viewpoint, as opposed to that of the theoretician. The book asks the following questions: What conditions contribute to an excellent academic library work environment? What helps to make a particular academic library a great place to work? Articles focus on actual programs while placing the discussion in a scholarly context. The book is structured into 14 chapters, covering various aspects of workplace culture in academic libraries, including: overview of workplace culture, assessment, recruitment, acclimation for new librarians, workforce diversity, physical environment, staff morale, interaction between departments, tenure track/academic culture, mentoring/coaching, generational differences, motivation/incentives, complaints/conflict management, and organizational transparency.
Rezensionen / Stimmen
"All aspects of workplace culture in libraries are addressed in this timely and readable volume that covers a range of relevant topics...useful for all university library staff, especially those in supervisory roles, and I recommend it for purchase by academic libraries to assist staff in improving the library workplace for all employees." --Australian Library Journal,September 2 2014
The book makes us aware of what we usually ignore or gloss over in our everyday working environment, to question where it might be hindering staff and the service they offer." --Managing Information
Reihe
Sprache
Verlagsort
Verlagsgruppe
Zielgruppe
Maße
Höhe: 234 mm
Breite: 156 mm
Gewicht
ISBN-13
978-1-84334-702-6 (9781843347026)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Klassifikation
Kelly Blessinger is the Reference Assistant Coordinator at Louisiana State University (LSU) Libraries. In this role, she assists in the daily supervision and operation of the department. She organizes training for all new hires in the department and coordinates continuing education for the library. She served on the Library Mentoring Committee, the Library Faculty Policy Committee, the LSU Faculty Senate, and currently, the University Council on Women. Paul Hrycaj is an Instruction and Reference Librarian at LSU. He has served on the American Library Association Instruction Section Planning Committee, the LSU Library Faculty Policy Committee, and the LSU Faculty Senate. Paul has been chair of and participated in numerous search committees and has given presentations to LSU Libraries' faculty and staff on the process of hiring new faculty members.
Herausgeber*in
Louisiana State University, USA
List of figures and tables
About the editors
About the contributors
Introduction
Part 1: Overview of workplace culture
Chapter 1: Organizational culture and leadership: exploring perceptions and relationships
Abstract:
Introduction
Organizational culture defined
Unit subcultures
Perceptions
Values
Leadership
Everyone leads
Culture-shaping
Conclusion
Chapter 2: Building on our strengths: working towards a preferred workplace culture
Abstract:
Introduction
Literature review
Case studies
Results
Current cultures
Preferred cultures
Discussion
Conclusion
Chapter 3: Organizational culture and administrative change: a case study at a metropolitan academic library
Abstract:
Introduction
Literature review: prior case studies
Background and methodology
Positive cultural aspects
Challenges
Change in the library's administration
Conclusion
Appendix A Culture interview
Appendix B Culture survey and responses
Part 2: Assessment
Chapter 4: Organizational climate assessment and improvement planning
Abstract:
Introduction
Literature review
Strategic planning retreats
Assessment strategy
Climate assessment instrument
Climate assessment retreats
Outcomes
Lessons learned
Conclusion and looking forward
Appendix A Values statement
Appendix B Cook Library Strategic Plan 2010-2016 (Excerpt)
Appendix C Cook Work Life Survey
Appendix D Plan to improve and enhance organizational climate
Part 3: Acclimation for new librarians
Chapter 5: Helping new librarians find success and satisfaction in the academic library
Abstract:
Introduction
Literature review
Best practices for supporting and leveraging new librarians
Conclusion
Part 4: Workforce diversity
Chapter 6: Beyond diversity: moving towards inclusive work environments
Abstract:
Introduction
Literature review
Inclusive work environments
Cultural competencies
Climate surveys
Developing inclusive work environments
An international perspective
Library leadership
Conclusion
Chapter 7: Cultural competencies in authentic leadership
Abstract:
Introduction
Background on the organizational culture of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries
Leadership literature
Implementing authentic leadership and cultural competencies at University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries
Infrastructure
Diversity committee and mission
Workplace climate
Recruitment and retention
Conclusion
Chapter 8: Diversity and sensitivity in the workplace: understanding Asian Pacific American staff
Abstract:
Introduction
Asian Pacific Americans: definition
APA population's profile
APA librarians data: diversity counts
Literature review
APA diverse identities
APA library staff: other relevant issues
Best practices and future research
Conclusion
Part 5: Physical environment
Chapter 9: Challenges of redesigning staff work space
Abstract:
Introduction
Literature review
Space assessments
Planning for space changes
Conclusion
Appendix Workspace needs assessment and renovation checklist
Chapter 10: All integration is local: merging cultures in an academic library
Abstract:
Introduction
Literature review
Case study
Conclusion
Chapter 11: Promoting and enabling civility in the academic library
Abstract:
Introduction
The broader issues of civility and incivility
A commitment to diversity and to civility
Implementing action
Creating a statement
Ongoing efforts
Launching a civility initiative in your library
Conclusion
Appendix University Libraries Civility Statement
Part 6: Staff morale/Interpersonal
Chapter 12: Building staff morale and creating a positive workplace
Abstract:
Introduction
Literature review
Background
Library divisions
Bridging the great divide
Conclusion
Part 7: Interaction between departments
Chapter 13: Interdepartmental communication in academic libraries
Abstract:
Introduction
Underlying barriers to interdepartmental communication
Success at Western Washington University Libraries
Conclusion
Chapter 14: Interaction between departments: strategies for improving interdepartmental collaboration through communication
Abstract:
Introduction
Literature review
Multi-stream communication
Creating the right organizational culture and environment
How to speak the same language
Creating the right environment
Conclusion
Part 8: Tenure track/Academic culture
Chapter 15: No middle ground? Perceptions and realities of the distinctions between tenured librarians and their professional colleagues
Abstract:
Introduction
Literature review
Background
The survey
Results and consideration
Suggestions and strategies
Conclusion
Appendix Survey
Part 9: Mentoring/Coaching
Chapter 16: Mentoring in academic libraries
Abstract:
Introduction
A review of the literature
Best practices
Conclusion
Chapter 17: How transformational leadership translates into recognized excellence in academic libraries
Abstract:
Introduction
Literature review
Beginnings of change, sparked at the top
Continuing change: transformational ideas begin to come from functional teams
Continuing change: transforming ZSR's role in the university
Higher levels of personal action
Conclusion and future directions
Part 10: Generational differences
Chapter 18: Generations at work: what we can learn from each other
Abstract:
Introduction
Background
Literature review
Method
Findings and discussion
Conclusion
Part 11: Motivation/Incentives
Chapter 19: Staff motivation at a university library: use of intrinsic motivation at Western Carolina University
Abstract:
Introduction
Literature review
Case study
Conclusion
Part 12: Conflict management
Chapter 20: Managing conflict and incivility in academic libraries
Abstract:
Introduction
Different types of conflict
Specific cases of conflict in academic libraries
Barriers and solutions
Conclusion
Part 13: Transparent organization
Chapter 21: The transparent organization: keeping staff in the loop
Abstract:
Introduction
Literature review
Case study: North Carolina State University Libraries
Conclusion
References
Index
