University of Maryland
iSchool
LBSC 631
Section 0101
Achieving Organizational Excellence
Course Syllabus
Fall 2014
Gary W. White, Ph.D.
Class time: Wed. 6:00-8:45 PM
4115 McKeldin Library
Classroom: PLS 1117
Telephone: 301-405-9281
Cell: 814-883-1738
E-mail: gww2@umd.edu
Office hours: Wednesdays 4:00-5:00 p.m., and by appointment
Course Overview: This course focuses on providing a sound foundation in the core
competencies needed to lead and manage information-based cultural institutions (i.e. libraries,
archives, museums, historical societies) in the 21st century. The course provides an overview of
the principles, practices, and techniques required for effective leadership and management, and
focuses on innovative strategies, management responsibilities, and the skills needed to achieve
and sustain high organizational performance.
Learning Outcomes: Upon completing the course students will:
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Be familiar with the concepts and methods of principled leadership.
Develop and demonstrate skills in organizational planning; program management
(analysis, implementation, evaluation); and the utilization of technology-based products
and services.
Understand and apply sound principles in developing and utilizing human capital,
financial resources, and facilities.
Develop and apply principles in communications, advocacy, building partnerships and
networks, and customer service.
Course Text: Management Basics for Information Professionals, 3rd ed., 2013. G. Edward
Evans & Camila A. Alire. Chicago: American Library Association. Available in the bookstore
and a copy is on library course reserves. We will also be reading several chapters from Library
and Information Center Management, 8th edition by Barbara B. Moran (these will be on library
course reserves).
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Course Requirements: Students are expected to attend classes and actively participate in
discussions sharing their own experiences and integrating information from lectures and assigned
readings. Students will also participate in small teams, and each team member will play an
active role. Each student will lead one or two class discussions of an assigned reading.
Grades: Students will be evaluated on the basis of;
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Class Participation, Discussion Leader
Strategic Planning/Budget Team Project
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
20%
40%
20%
20%
A letter grade for each segment of student performance, and for the course, will be assigned with
University and iSchool guidelines: A= Excellent [90-100]; B=Satisfactory [80-89]; C=Barely
adequate [70-79]; D/F=Failure [<70].
Attendance: Attendance/participation in class is expected. If you are unable to
attend/participate in class for reasons of illness, religious observance, participation In University
activities at the request of University authorities, or compelling absences beyond the student’s
control, please let the instructor know [prior to class for non-emergencies].
Classroom Environment: The classroom environment should be professional and respectful.
Punctual arrival at classes contributes to the smooth operation of the class and the quality of the
learning experience. Late arrivals, early departures, and wandering in and out of the classroom
are disruptive and distracting. If you know you will be unavoidably detained or must leave early,
please let the instructor know in advance. Please turn off or mute all phones and other
communication devices during each class session. If you use your laptop in the classroom, limit
the usage of the computer to course-related reasons [i.e., taking notes, accessing readings].
Academic Integrity: The University of Maryland, College park has a nationally recognized
Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Society. This Code sets
standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a
student, you are responsible for upholding these standards for this course. The Code of
Academic Integrity prohibits students from cheating on exams, plagiarizing, submitting
fraudulent documents, forging signatures, submitting the same paper for credit in two courses
without authorization, and buying papers. It is very important for you to be aware of the
consequences of academic dishonesty. Instances of any suspected academic dishonesty will be
reported and handled according to University policy and procedures. For more information on
the Code, visit http://www.shc.umd.edu
Plagiarism is of particular concern in the networked digital environment. Students must write
their essays and assignments in their own words. Whenever students take an idea or a passage of
text from another author, they must acknowledge their source both by using quotation marks
where appropriate and by proper referencing using footnotes or in-text citations. For further
information about proper citation of sources, consult the UMD Libraries website at
http://www.lib.umd.edu/guides/honesty.html and
http://www.lib.umd.edu/PUBSERV/citations/index.html.
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Extensions: No extensions without prior permission of the instructor. Late submissions of
assignments will carry a penalty.
Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities who require academic accommodations
must inform the instructor of their needs and provide written documentation about the
appropriate academic accommodations from Disability Support Services
[http://www.counseling.umd.edu/DSS] at the beginning of the term.
Course Schedule & Readings: Most items are available through e-reserves on
Canvas. Please complete all readings in bold prior to class and come prepared to discuss.
Read Harvard Business Review articles through University Libraries Research Port. There may
be changes in the reading list as the semester progresses.
Note: Each student will be responsible for leading discussion of one chapter or article
during the semester. This will be part of your class participation grade.
Session 1 (September 3): Class overview/Introduction to Management &
Leadership. Class will meet in person.
Evans, Chapter 1
Moran, Chapter 1
Watkins, M.D. (2012). “How Managers Become Leaders,” Harvard Business Review,
90(6), 16-17.
Additional Readings (Optional):
Ahmed, P. (2009). “The Role of the Library and Information Science
Professional as Managers: A Comparative Analysis,” Electronic Journal of
Academic and Special Librarianship 10(3), 1-10:
http://southernlibrarianship.icaap.org/content/v10n03/ahmad_p01.html
Buckingham, M. (2005). “What do Great Managers Do?” Harvard Business
Review, 83(3), 70-79.
Fisher, W., & Rosenblum, L. (2008). “Now What Do I Do? Some Reflections On
Becoming A First-Time Public Library Director,” Library Administration &
Management, 22(1), 15-23.
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Jordan, M.W. (2011). “Developing Leadership Competencies in Librarians,”
IFLA Journal: http://conference.ifla.org/past/2011/125-jordan-en.pdf
Session 2 (September 10): Organizations; Organizational Theory;
Organizational Culture. Class will be conducted online.
Evans, Chapter 2
Moran Chapter 7
Higa, M. L. (2005). “Redesigning a library’s organizational structure,”College &
Research Libraries, 66(1), 41-58: http://crl.acrl.org/content/66/1/41.full.pdf+html
Additional Readings (Optional):
Scott & Davis, Chapter 1, “The Subject is Organizations; The Verb is
Organizing”
McGuigan, G. S. (2012). “Addressing Change in Academic Libraries: A Review
of Classical Organizational Theory and Implications for Academic Libraries,”
Library Philosophy and Practice:
http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~mbolin/mcguigan.pdf
Johnson, P. (1990). “Matrix Management: An Organizational Alternative for
Libraries,” Journal of Academic Librarianship 16(4), 222-229:
http://cdigital.uv.mx/bitstream/123456789/5956/1/Al10.pdf
Session 3 (September 17): Strategic Planning. Class will be in person.
Distribute Budget/Strategic Planning Cases and Team Assignments.
Evans, Chapter 4
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Stephan, E. (2010). “Strategic Planning on the Fast Track,” Library Leadership and
Management Fall 2010, 24(4). 189-198.
Wayne, R. (2011). “The Academic Library and the Strategic Planning Puzzle:
Putting the Pieces Together,” College & Research Libraries News, 72(1), 12-15.
Additional Readings (Optional):
Lee, P. (2010). “On The Vital Importance Of Strategic Planning,” Public
Libraries, 49(2), 25-27.
Aamot, G. (2007). “Getting The Most Out Of Strategic Planning,” College &
Research Libraries News, 68(7), 418-426.
Staley, D,J. (2012). “Futuring, Strategic Planning and Shared Awareness: An
Ohio University Libraries’ Case Study,” Journal of Academic Librarianship,
38(1), 1-5
Preparing for Strategic Planning (LBSC 631Team Report Fall 2013).
Sessions 4 (September 24): Budgeting. Class will be online.
Evans, Chapter 17
Evans, G. E. (2001). “The In’s and Out’s of Library Budget Preparation,” Bottom
Line: Managing Library Finances, 14(1), 19-23
Zach, L. (2002). “A Librarian’s Guide to Speaking the Business Language,”
Information Outlook, 6(6), 18-20.
Additional Readings (Optional):
Collins, T. (2012). “The Current Budget Environment and Its Impact on
Libraries, Publishers, and Vendors.” Journal of Library Administration, 52: 1835.
Novak, D. (2011). “Data-Driven Budget Reductions: A Case Study,” Bottom
Line: Managing Library Finances, 24(1), 24-34.
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Session 5 (October 1): Team Projects
Session 6 (October 8): Leadership & Leadership Development – Part 1. Class
will be in person.
Guest Expert: Anne Turkos, University Archives (first hour)
Evans, Chapter 13
Farrell, M. (2013). “Lifecycle of Library Leadership,” Journal of Library
Administration, 53(4), 255-264.
Staninger, S.W. (2012) “Identifying the Presence of Ineffective Leadership in
Libraries. Library Leadership & Management, 26(1), 1-7.
Matthews, Brian (2012). “Think Like a Start Up: A White Paper to Inspire
Entrepreneurialism,” URL:
http://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/handle/10919/18649/Think%20like%20a%20
STARTUP.pdf
Additional Readings (Optional):
Alire, C. (2001). “Diversity and Leadership: The Color of Leadership,” Journal
of Library Administration, 32(3/4), 95-109.
Barsh, A. & Lisewski, A. (2008). “Library Managers and Ethical Leadership: A
Survey of Current Practices from the Perspective of Business Ethics,” Journal of
Library Administration, 47(3/4), 27-67.
Duren, P. (2013). “Leadership in Libraries in Times of Change,” IFLA Journal,
39(2), 134-139.
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Session 7 (October 15): Leadership & Leadership Development – Part 2.
Human Resources and Personnel. Class will be online.
Midterm exam distributed.
Evans, Chapter 16
Munde, G. (2010). “Considerations for Managing an Increasingly Intergenerational
Workforce in Libraries,” Library Trends, 59(1/2), 88-108.
Additional Readings (Optional):
Fitsimmons, G. (2010). “Directing the Personnel Search Part I: The Position
Announcement,” Bottom Line: Managing Library Finances, 23(4), 205-207.
Fitsimmons, G. (2011). “Directing the Personnel Search Part II: Notes on
Contacting Applicants,” Bottom Line: Managing Library Finances, 24(1), 38-40.
Fitsimmons, G. (2011). “Directing the Personnel Search Part III: Preliminary
Interviews,” Bottom Line: Managing Library Finances, 24(2), 110-112.
Fitsimmons, G. (2011). “Directing the Personnel Search Part IV: The On-Site
Interview,” Bottom Line: Managing Library Finances, 24(3), 157-159.
Moran, B.B., Marshall, J.G., and Rathbun-Grubb, S. (2010). “The Academic
Library Workforce, Past, Present, and Future,” Library Trends 59(1/2), 208-219.
Staines, G. (2012). “Finding the Best People in a Touch Economy,” Library
Leadership & Management, 26(3/4), 1-13.
Session 8 (October 22): Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations.
Class will be in person.
(NOTE: Midterm Exam due October 24, no later than 11:59 PM – submit by email)
Guest Expert: Eric Bartheld, Director of Communications, University of Maryland
Libraries (first hour).
Evans, Chapter 11
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Heyliger, S. (2013), “Making Connections: A Survey of Special Collections’ Social
Media Outreach,” American Archivist, 76(2), 374-414.
Additional Reading (Optional):
Price, L. (2011). “Social Media Brings in the Money,” Public Libraries, 50(2),
24-27.
Session 9 (October 29): Motivation and Organizational Behavior. Class will
be online.
Evans, Chapter 12
Smith, S.D. & Galbraith, Q. (2012). “Motivating Millenials: Improving Practices
in Recruiting, Retaining, and Motivating Younger Library Staff,” Journal of
Academic Librarianship, 38(3), 135-144.
Additional Readings (Optional):
Gephart, R.P. (2002). “Introduction to the Brave New Workplace:
Organizational Behavior in the Electronic Age,” Journal of Organizational
Behavior, 23, 327-344.
Kreitz, P.A. (2009). “Leadership and Emotional Intelligence: A Study of
University Library Directors and Their Senior Management Teams,” College &
Research Libraries, 70(6), 531-554.
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Session 10 (November 5): Managing and Planning IT. Class will be in
person.
Part 1 of class: Guest Speaker, Bonnie MacEwan, Dean of Auburn University
Libraries
Evans, Chapter 18
Additional Readings (Optional):
Educause Top 10 IT Issues 2013: http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/educausetop-10-it-issues-2013
Hanson, Terry (2011). “Developing an Information Strategy,”
http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/developing-information-strategy
Renfro, P. & Neal, J.G. (2012). “The Integration of Libraries and Academic
Computing at Columbia: New Opportunities for Internal and External
Collaboration,” Journal of Library Administration, 52, 162-171.
Wang, Y. & Dawes, T. (2012). “The Next Generation Integrated Library System:
A Promise Fulfilled,” Information Technology and Libraries, 31(3), 76-84.
Session 11 (November 12): Managing and Planning Facilities. Class will be
online.
Evans, Chapter 19
Bazillion, R.J. (2002). “Academic Library Construction: Managing the Design-toBuild Process,” Journal of Library Administration, 36(4), 49-64.
Wilsted, T.P. (2012). “Renovating Special Collections Facilities.” Journal of Library
Administration, 52, 321-331.
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Additional Readings (Optional):
Bell, M. & Strunk, S. (2011). “Ten Timely Tips For A Successful Renovation Or
Construction Project,” ILA Reporter, 29(1). URL:
http://www.ila.org/pdf/0111pg18-21.pdf
Pierard, C. & Lee, N. (2011). Studying Space: Improving Space Planning with
User Studies,” Journal of Access Services, 8, 190-207.
Session 12-13 (November 19 and November 26): Fundraising/Development
and Managing the Modern Organization. November 19 – In person.
November 26 – online. Final exam distributed on November 26.
Guest expert: Heather Foss, Director of Development, University of Maryland
Libraries. November 19, first hour.
Moran, Chapter 20
Moran, Chapter 21
Dewey, B. I. (2006). “Fund-Raising For Large Public University Libraries: Margin
For Excellence,” Library Administration & Management, 20(1), 5-11.
Additional Reading (Optional):
Pritchard, S.M. (2011). “Fundraising, Impact and Assessment,” portal: Libraries
and the Academy, 11(2), 595-597. URL:
http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/portal_libraries_and_the_academy/summary/v011/11
.2.pritchard.html
Sessions 14-15 (December 3 and December 10): Team Presentations – Class
in Person.
Dec. 15: Final exam due (via e-mail) no later than 12:00 PM
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Budgeting and Strategic Planning Project
Class will be divided into teams to conduct a budgeting and strategic planning project. Teams
will present their projects during the last two class sessions. Components of the presentation:
1. Final copy of your organization’s strategic plan and rationale for your strategic
objectives.
2. Final copy of budget proposal/recommendations and rationale. Describe how budget
proposal supports your strategic plan.
Teams will also submit a written report (25 pp. maximum) including the following:
1. Introduction to your organization/background
2. Analysis of current situation
3. Narrative overview of your strategic plan; include copy of your strategic plan
4. Narrative overview of your budget proposal; include copy of your budget proposal
5. Description/rationale of how strategic plan and budget proposal will move your
organization into the future.
Written reports are due the day of in-class presentations.
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