Library leadership in a time of disruption

CHICAGO — How do library leaders obtain strategic support when there appears to be a lack of clarity or understanding about the very purpose of libraries—and at a time when economically, libraries are under pressure to develop new business models and be more commercially focused? “Bold Minds: Library Leadership in a Time of Disruption,” published by Facet Publishing and available through the ALA Store, brings together international leaders who frame many aspects of the current library provision and who carry responsibility for the library models of the future to consider how librarians and libraries can be a driving force in a time of disruptive economic, technological, and cultural change. Edited by Margaret Weaver and Leo Appleton, each chapter of this collection critically presents a short leadership provocation regarding libraries and their purpose, encompassing impact, service delivery, collections, staff skills, and professional training. The contributors assess what our circumstances mean for leaders, their communities, and organizations, and how they have developed their personal leadership signature.

Weaver is former interim Head of Library Services at Brunel University London. A founding member of the Northern Collaboration group of academic libraries, she has also chaired the (North West Academic Libraries (NoWAL) collaboration and has contributed to the professional literature throughout her career on subjects such as management and leadership, strategic staff development, learning support models, technology rich learning spaces and latterly libraries and the student journey. She is an Associate of the Higher Education Academy and a Chartered member of CILIP. Appleton is Director of Library Services at Goldsmiths, University of London and is a researcher for the Centre for Social Informatics at Edinburgh Napier University, where he is currently undertaking research in the value and impact of public libraries in the UK. He has worked in numerous leadership and management roles in universities and further education colleges throughout his career and is a fellow of CILIP. He s the editor of CILIP’s Multimedia, Information and Technology journal, associate editor of the New Review of Academic Librarianship, and co-editor of UKSG eNews.

Facet Publishing, the commercial publishing and bookselling arm of CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, is the leading publisher of books for library and information professionals worldwide. Many book retailers and distributors are experiencing service disruptions or delays, including Amazon. For speediest service, order direct from the ALA Store. ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library and information professionals worldwide. ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman publishes resources used by library and information professionals, scholars, students, and educators to improve programs and services, build on best practices, enhance pedagogy, share research, develop leadership, and promote advocacy. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a variety of print and electronic formats. Contact ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman at [email protected].