KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY
College of Education
Department of Library Science/Instructional Technology
LIB 555/ITC 526 Management in Information Center Environments
I. Course Description:
This course provides an overview of management theory, policy and practice with an
emphasis on the role of the librarian or technology coordinator as manager in library,
school, academic and independent information center settings. 3 s.h., 3 c.h.
II. Course Rationale:
Librarians and technology coordinators are called upon to manage information center
personnel, collections, technology and facilities in a variety of contexts from traditional
school buildings to environments that exist entirely online. In addition, information
centers and their employees are often subject to federal state and local laws and
regulations that must be understood and adhered to by the professional. To meet this
challenge, information professionals must have a basic understanding of management
including strategic planning, policy development, facility design, budgeting and
fundraising. Information centers cater to all facets of our multicultural society and their
managers must be prepared to hire, evaluate and develop a staff who will best serve our
diverse communities. The manager of a library or information center will be responsible
for marketing programs and services and assessing those services to ensure they are
fulfilling their stated goals.
III. Course Objectives: At the conclusion of the course the student will be able to:
a. Establish mission, goals and objectives for an information center that reflect the
philosophy of the educational setting and the state and national guidelines.
b. Articulate the leadership role of the librarian or technology coordinator.
c. Develop policies and procedures that support equitable access to information to
meet the needs of diverse users while adhering to copyright restrictions.
d. Develop policies and procedures that ensure effective management.
e. Develop and implement a marketing plan.
f. Demonstrate an understanding of the design of a facility that supports the goals
and mission of the library or information center.
g. Articulate the role of networking to form partnerships with outside agencies and
professionals.
h. Demonstrate an understanding of the budgetary process.
i. Discuss the process by which staff should be recruited, hired and developed.
j. Articulate the importance of formally evaluating staff.
k. Discuss methodology for assessment of programs, collections and services.
l. Articulate the omnipresent role of technology in library and information centers.
IV. Assessment
A.
B.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Core Assignment (See attachment)
Other assessments based on a subset of the following:
Documentation of required field work (4 hrs)
Reflection journals and papers
Discussion forums
Quizzes and exams
V. Course Outline
A. Defining Management
a. Management Theory
b. Management in an Information Center setting
B. Strategic Planning
a. SWOT analysis
b. Identifying Goals, Objectives and Measures/Outcomes
c. Disaster Planning
C. Marketing
a. Identifying the Community to be Served
b. Providing Outreach and Marketing Materials
c. Identifying Partnerships
D. Structuring Organizations
a. Board of Directors/Trustees/Supervisors and School Boards
b. Local and Regional Government
c. Institutional Organizational Charts
E. Policy Making
a. Mission and Vision Statements
b. Collection Development Polices
c. Acceptable Use Policies
d. Service Policies
e. Internet/Technology Policies
f. Maintenance and Equipment Repair Policies
F. Facilities
a. Design or Renovation
b. Compliance with Building Codes and ADA requirements
c. Furnishings
d. Technology Rich Environments
G. Staffing and Human Resources
a. Recruitment
b. Hiring
c. Staff Evaluation
d. Personnel Policies
H. Training Programs
a. Staff Development
b. Designing and Implementing In-Service Programs
I. Motivation and Leadership
a. Management vs. Leadership
b. Importance of Staff Morale
J. Ethics and Legal Issues
a. Professional Ethics
b. Ethics in Management
c. Copyright
K. Team Building and Participative Management
a. Hierarchical vs. Flat Organizations
b. Virtual Teambuilding
L. Measuring and Assessment
a. Measuring Input, Output and Outcome
b. Evaluating Effectiveness
M. Budgeting
a. Common Budgeting Techniques
b. Budget Presentations and Advocacy
N. Fundraising
a. Annual Appeals/Solicitations
b. Fundraising Through Partnership Groups
c. Grant-writing
VI. Instructional Resources
Bailey, D. Transforming Library Service through Information Commons: Case Studies for the
Digital Age. Chicago: American Library Association, 2008.
Borthwick, A. Transforming Classroom Practice: Professional Development Strategies in
Educational Technology. Eugene: International Society for Technology in Education, 2008.
Downs, E. The School Library: Media Specialist's Policy & Procedure Writer. New York: NealSchuman Publishers, 2010.
Frazier, M. The Technology Coordinator’s Handbook. Eugene: International Society for
Technology in Education, 2004.
Gignac, F. Building Successful Virtual Teams [electronic resource] Boston : Artech House,
2005.
Goldmann, H. Advocacy and Educational Techology: A Guide to Getting Your Voice Heard.
Eugene: International Society for Technology in Education, 2011.
Hall, D. The Technology Director’s Guide to Leadership: The Power of Great Questions.
Eugene: International Society for Technology in Education, 2008.
Huber, J. Library Management: Eleven Strategies for Reducing Costs and Improving Customer
Services. New .York : Neal-Schuman Publishers 2011.
Johnson D. Stretching Your Technology Dollar. Educational Leadership [serial online]. January
1, 2012;69(4):30-33. Available from: ERIC, Ipswich, MA. Accessed July 31, 2012.
Kelsey, S. Best Practices for Corporate Libraries [electronic resource]. Santa Barbara: Libraries
Unlimited, 2011.
Lowry, Charles B. "Continuous Organizational Development--Teamwork, Learning Leadership,
and Measurement." Portal, v. 5 no1 (January 2005) p. 1-6.
Library Leadership & Management [electronic resource]. Chicago: American Library
Association, 2009.
Mayo, D. Staffing for Results: A Guide to Working Smarter. Chicago, IL: American Library
Association, 2002.
Piotrowicz, L. Building Science 101: A Primer for Librarians. Chicago: American Library
Association, 2010.
Smallwood, C. Library Management Tips that Work. ALA Editions, 2011.
Stueart, R. Library and Information Center Management. Westport: Libraries Unlimited, 2007.
Trotta, J. Staff Development on a Shoestring: A How-to-Do-It Manual for Librarians. New York:
Neal-Schuman Publishers Inc., 2011.
Vaughan J, Costello K. Management and Support of Shared Integrated Library Systems.
Information Technology & Libraries [serial online]. June 2011;30(2):62-70. Available from:
Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed July 31, 2012.
Woodward. Countdown to a New Library: Managing the Building Project. 2nd ed. Chicago:
ALA, 2010.