HOME About NJLA Advocacy Honors & Awards Initiatives Communications Resources For Vendors

COMPETENCIES FOR LIBRARY ADMINISTRATORS

The objective of these competencies is to provide administrators with self-measurement tools, as well as giving trustees guidelines for hiring and evaluating a library director. The intended audience for these competencies is library directors, assistant directors, branch managers, department heads and librarians who aspire to an administrative position.

Management: the ability to administer a complex organizational system

  • Develops effective policies and procedures that support the Library’s mission
  • Applies appropriate management techniques
  • Assesses trends for possible action
  • Maintains awareness of political and legal climate
  • Ensures compliance with pertinent laws and regulations
  • Initiates and implements new ideas in technology and other areas
  • Effects structural or cultural change within the Library when necessary or appropriate
  • Maintains currency with management literature and professional organizations
  • Adheres to the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association

Planning: the ability to develop and carry out goals and objectives for the Library that are relevant to the community

  • Develops a strategic plan
  • Communicates plan to internal and external stakeholders
  • Implements the plan
  • Assesses programs continuously
  • Integrates the unexpected

Human resources management: the ability to determine what skills the Library needs, to be able to find and support the individuals who staff the Library

  • Assesses staffing needs on a continuing basis
  • Recruits personnel to match the Library’s needs and organizational culture
  • Provides effective training
  • Assesses staff competencies, formally and informally
  • Rewards good performance
  • Creates opportunities for continuing education, staff development and advancement
  • Nurtures leadership within the Library
  • Resolves conflict
  • Creates a fair environment
  • Generates and sustains enthusiasm for the Library’s mission

Budgeting and fundraising: the ability to obtain, disburse, and manage financial resources to carry out the Library’s mission

  • Prepares an annual budget to support and manage the Library’s mission and programs
  • Justifies budget using appropriate analytical tools such as forecasting or cost benefit analysis
  • Tracks and monitors income and expenses
  • Prepares regular financial reports for governing bodies
  • Participates actively in the annual audit process
  • Keeps current on purchasing and contract laws and regulations
  • Ensures that budget priorities align with strategic plan priorities

Communication: the ability to facilitate interpersonal and inter-organizational communication to carry out the Library’s mission

  • Identifies the audience for the message
  • Chooses the appropriate medium to convey the message
  • Articulates the message effectively
  • Analyzes the results of the communication to evaluate the effectiveness of the message
  • Modifies and resends the message as needed

Political skills: the ability to communicate the value and role of the Library to its governing bodies and community

  • Advocates for the Library’s vision
  • Works within the political structure
  • Maintains a non-partisan position
  • Builds partnerships
  • Works with community leaders
  • Builds consensus


Public relations: the ability to promote the Library ’s mission and services

  • Establishes and supports a proactive public relations program
  • Networks and reaches out to the community
  • Initiates and sustains personal contact with community stakeholders

Approved by NJLA Administration and Management Section January 13, 2006; Approved by NJLA Professional Development Committee February 28, 2006;Approved by the NJLA Executive Board March 14, 2006

Home | About NJLA | Advocacy | Honors & Awards | Initiatives | Publications | Resources | For Vendors
Contact Us | A-Z Directory

Box 1534, Trenton, NJ 08607 | Phone:(609) 394-8032 | Fax: (609) 394-8164 | Webmaster
This page is hosted & maintained by the Burlington County Library