Library Management for the Digital Age: A New Paradigm

Citation

Eric Boamah (2015), "Library Management for the Digital Age: A New Paradigm", Library Review, Vol. 64 No. 6/7, pp. 508-509. https://doi.org/10.1108/LR-02-2015-0012

Today’s world of fast developing digital technologies brings a rapid change to every profession and field of study. The rate and extent of the change occurring in the area of information and library management cannot be over emphasised. The constantly evolving online searching tools, social media, blogging and hash tagging functionalities, for instance, have not only affected the classical ways of providing library services, facilities and tools, but also significantly impacted on the knowledge, skills and competencies of library employees, users, partners and stakeholders. The library manager needs to be abreast of the changing times. A library management paradigm, which takes into account the diverse characteristics of employees, stakeholders and services to achieve effective delivery of resources, is a sure way to effectively plan, design, administer and maintain a successful library workplace in this digital age.

It is for these reasons that the new model Julie Todaro adduces in Library management for the digital age is significant. Included in this excellent resource is a deep analysis and discussions of theoretical content in 16 succinct chapters through the first part of the book. The discussions cover various issues affecting the management of contemporary library environment, including new change management; employees’ roles, skills, knowledge and responsibilities; managing infrastructure and documents; working relationships; customer services; budgeting; policies; and effective communication. These show how running the library workplace is continuously changing from a classic to a new management paradigm.

To ensure that her readers do not miss out on the practical skills and knowledge, she has gained as a children’s librarian, community college librarian, community college dean, library educator, certified all-level school librarian, consultant and mentor for librarians in all types of library. Todaro includes 16 cases studies in Part 2. Each case study uses a specific method of analysis to discuss a particular real organisational scenario that relates to the content being discussed in the corresponding chapter in Part 1. Following each case are comments, list of facts and what can be done to achieve the expected outcome.

Resources on library management abound; what distinguishes Todaro’s book from the rest is the richness of experience the author brings to complement the content being discussed. Having served in various library positions for over 35 years in different contexts, there is no doubt that Julie Todaro knows what she is talking about, and this is clearly demonstrated in her analysis. The combination of analysis and case studies makes the book valuable not only as reference material for students and professionals alike, but also as a training resource for information and library educators. The ideas on new management can be applied in organisational settings outsider the library environment, extending the audience for Library management for the digital age to every manager who wants to be effective in maintaining successful workplace in this digital age.