Different Management Styles
Let’s look at management from a business franchise-to-library perspective. In the latest issue of American Libraries, Jimmie E. Epling compares management at places such as Walmart and McDonalds to those of libraries. Epling states that leadership tends to be more fractured at the local level of libraries because of factors such as llack of funding and interest. A manager at one library may need to deviate from standards to accommodate their community. Local mangers of corporations tend to be unified in goals.
So what does this mean? Epling says libraries need to be “purpose-driven” and calls for strategic planning. I would add that the goal of purpose is to really know your community, its interests and opportunities for possible interests. If people become invested in the library then the chance for funding increases. upon which more opportunities can be explored.