Essential Leadership Skills for Health Sciences Information Professionals

Edited by Janet Crum and Annabelle V. Nuñez

Effective leadership and management are essential to a successful, thriving health sciences library, yet often librarians are promoted into leadership roles with little to no training and support. Then, swamped with the demands of their new positions, they struggle to find time to read multiple books on a leadership topic or attend long (and expensive) leadership training programs. Essential Leadership Skills for Health Sciences Information Professionals is intended to help fill that gap by making the accumulated wisdom of experienced leaders available in a concise, easy-to-digest format.

Each chapter is written by an experienced library leader and provides essential background and practical, actionable advice on eleven essential leadership topics: the health sciences library environment; building relationships and engaging stakeholders; setting direction; building and leading the team; engaging your staff; leading with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion; planning and managing projects; managing change; decision-making and problem-solving; crisis leadership; and managing and taking care of yourself. Busy leaders and aspiring leaders can learn essential information about a leadership topic quickly, then explore cited and recommended resources as needed to build deeper expertise. While examples are focused on the unique needs and environments of health sciences libraries, much of the material will be useful to leaders in all types of libraries.

Today’s libraries must navigate challenging and rapidly changing environments and compete for talent in a tight and highly competitive labor market. Effective and compassionate leadership is essential for libraries—and the people who work in them—to thrive in these conditions. Essential Leadership Skills for Health Sciences Information Professionals is designed to help aspiring, new, and experienced leaders develop the skills to build and sustain healthy, innovative, flexible, and resilient organizations and work environments that create value for their employees and the populations they serve.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 196 • Trim: 6 x 8¾

978-1-5381-6823-3 • Paperback • May 2023 • $79.00 • (£61.00)

Series: Medical Library Association Books Series

Subjects: Language Arts & Disciplines / Library & Information Science / General

Essential Leadership Skills for Health Sciences Information Professionals

Paperback

Summary

Effective leadership and management are essential to a successful, thriving health sciences library, yet often librarians are promoted into leadership roles with little to no training and support. Then, swamped with the demands of their new positions, they struggle to find time to read multiple books on a leadership topic or attend long (and expensive) leadership training programs. Essential Leadership Skills for Health Sciences Information Professionals is intended to help fill that gap by making the accumulated wisdom of experienced leaders available in a concise, easy-to-digest format.
Each chapter is written by an experienced library leader and provides essential background and practical, actionable advice on eleven essential leadership topics: the health sciences library environment; building relationships and engaging stakeholders; setting direction; building and leading the team; engaging your staff; leading with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion; planning and managing projects; managing change; decision-making and problem-solving; crisis leadership; and managing and taking care of yourself. Busy leaders and aspiring leaders can learn essential information about a leadership topic quickly, then explore cited and recommended resources as needed to build deeper expertise. While examples are focused on the unique needs and environments of health sciences libraries, much of the material will be useful to leaders in all types of libraries.
Today’s libraries must navigate challenging and rapidly changing environments and compete for talent in a tight and highly competitive labor market. Effective and compassionate leadership is essential for libraries—and the people who work in them—to thrive in these conditions. Essential Leadership Skills for Health Sciences Information Professionals is designed to help aspiring, new, and experienced leaders develop the skills to build and sustain healthy, innovative, flexible, and resilient organizations and work environments that create value for their employees and the populations they serve.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 196 • Trim: 6 x 8¾

978-1-5381-6823-3 • Paperback • May 2023 • $79.00 • (£61.00)

Series: Medical Library Association Books Series

Subjects: Language Arts & Disciplines / Library & Information Science / General

Author

Janet Crum is Director of Health Sciences Library at the University of Arizona. She has held leadership and management positions in academic and health sciences libraries, including Oregon Health & Science University, Northern Arizona University, and City of Hope National Medical Center, leading library teams through many challenges, crises, and changes. She holds a BA in English from the University of the Pacific and an MLS from the University of Washington.
Annabelle V. Nuñez is the Associate Director at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Library. She has been a library administrator for over six years and previously held a management position for a non-profit arts organization for close to a decade. She holds a BFA in Education and an MA, both from the University of Arizona.

Table of Contents

Preface
Part I : Leading Beyond the Library
1. The Landscapes of Health Sciences Libraries Rikke Ogawa
1. Build Relationships and Engage Stakeholders Darlene Parker Kelly and Ellen Sayed
Part II: Leading the Library Team
1. Setting Direction Janna C. Lawrence
1. Build and Lead the Team Jennifer McKinnell
1. Engage Your Staff Janet Crum
1. All In: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Through an Antiracist Lens Deidre Rios and Annabelle V. Nuñez
Part III: Tools and Tactics for Success
1. Planning and Managing Library Projects: An Introduction to Project Management Aidy Weeks
1. Managing Change: How to Lead in an Ever-Changing World Catherine B. Soehner
1. Decision-Making and Problem-Solving Emily McElroy and Emily Glenn
1. Crisis Leadership as a Growth Opportunity Kristine M. Alpi
1. Managing (and Taking Care of) Yourself Charlotte Beyer
About the Contributors
About the Editors

Reviews

Few books exist today providing practical information on leadership skills for health sciences information professionals. What you will discover within these pages is one hundred plus years of experience with timely topics matched to the contributors’ subject expertise. This book is designed for the new and seasoned library leader looking to enhance their skills through practical examples and a welcome addition to any health sciences librarian’s personal book collection.

— Donna S. Gibson, MLS. Director, Library Services, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

I highly recommend this book as a joint read for any leadership team. I’ve already incorporated it into my onboarding process.

— Stephanie Fulton, AHIP, FMLA, associate university librarian, Texas A&M University, Medical Sciences Library

Essential Leadership Skills for Health Sciences Information Professionals is a must-read for anyone from aspiring leaders to seasoned professionals. Crum and Nuñez have assembled known leaders in the health information profession to provide expertise and insight on topics relevant to the field.
The book begins by describing the multiple environments in which health sciences information professionals can be found, or will likely be seen in the future, setting the foundation and the context for the remainder of the content. Each section of the book touches on essential knowledge and skills that leaders should embrace for ultimate success and engagement. The culminating chapter reminds us that in the midst of shaping the course for their workplaces and their teams, leaders must also remember to manage and take care of themselves. This book will definitely be a central title in my personal collection related to leadership and management, and I anticipate referring colleagues to it as well.

— Gail Kouame, MLIS, director, Charles M. Baugh Biomedical Library, University of South Alabama

Comprehensive and practical, Essential Leadership Skills for Health Sciences Information Professionals brings together a wealth of information from proven leaders. With solid coverage of the management essentials, it also addresses new issues of importance to every workplace. It will be a reassuring resource for medical library directors and just as easily an introductory guide for aspiring professionals.

— Miguel A. Figueroa, president and CEO, Amigos Library Services

Janet Crum and Annabelle V. Nuñez have recruited a stellar group of authors to share their wisdom with current and aspiring health sciences library leaders. Essential Leadership Skills for Health Sciences Information Professionals is full of practical information that will improve readers ability to lead the profession.

— Chris Shaffer, MS, AHIP, university librarian and assistant vice chancellor, University of California, San Francisco

All chapters are well written by an experienced library leader. All chapters end with references and most include Recommended Readings. While primarily intended for new and aspiring leaders, experienced leaders will find the book equally helpful and engaging. This work is highly recommended!

— Journal of Hospital Librarianship

Essential Leadership Skills for Health Sciences Information Professionals is an outstanding resource for both current and prospective leaders. Offering practical advice that will serve leaders and managers well, this succinct book is accessible with short chapters, resource recommendations, and references. In sum, the book is highly recommended for current leaders and managers as well as any health science librarian who is considering a leadership role.

— Medical Reference Services Quarterly