Fundamentals of Library Supervision (Ala Fundamentals Series), 3rd Edition

Lifted by a track record of accomplishments, you're a manager. No doubt, despite it all, you'll sooner or later feel a gnawing sense of incompetence. You're called on to play many roles: mentor, creator, monitor, negotiator; some will surely be new. The newly revised Fundamentals of Library Supervision will give you the grounding to supervise, manage, and lead with confidence. Weaved through the book are examples of two fictional new hires: one new to the library after a national search; another promoted from staff. You'll get practical advice and common-sense approaches, such as:Tactics for effective meetings your staff will thank you for How to develop shared accountability and other characteristics of genuine teams.Organizing work of others, both the structural types and the creativesHow determining the character of your organization will help you foster a positive climateMeeting deadlines through backward planningOvercoming the decision dilemma so common in teamsTechniques for actively addressing complaints38 sample interviewing questions suitable for 9 different contexts11 steps for developing a clear and balanced performance appraisalFlexible scheduling, job enrichment, celebrations and other ideas of non-monetary rewards. Making your email an actual productivity toolTechniques for actively addressing complaints. You're about to become a library supervisor! In addition to excitement you may also feel some uncertainty. Mentor, creator, monitor, and negotiator are some of the roles a supervisor must play, and wearing that many hats is a challenge that requires discipline and organization (and a healthy sense of humor). This newly updated and revised edition of a classic text will give you the grounding to supervise, manage, and lead with confidence. A perfect handbook for those just moving into a supervisory position, and a welcome refresher for current managers, this resource focuses on daily, real-world issues, offering discussion of how to foster a positive work environment by determining the character of your organization; dozens of sample interview questions suitable for different contexts, and other pointers on the hiring process; advice on supervising all different kinds of employees, from those with "structural" personalities to creative types; tactics for leading productive and focused staff meetings; guidance on how to develop shared accountability, overcoming the decision dilemma so common in group settings, and other strategies for building successful teams; easy to follow tips for making email a genuine productivity tool; methods for meeting deadlines through backward planning; 11 steps for developing a clear and balanced performance appraisal; techniques for actively addressing complaints; and examples of non-monetary staff rewards such as flexible scheduling, job enrichment, and celebrations. Guiding supervisors through the intricate process of managing others, this to-the-point handbook addresses the fundamental issues facing those taking on this position. Part I. Supervising individuals -- Today's workplace -- Hiring and interviewing -- Orientation and training -- Managing performance -- Managing rewards -- Part II. Managing groups -- Becoming a manager -- Team work and group dynamics -- Planning and organizing work -- Budgeting basics -- Facilities, space, and safety -- Managing meetings -- Project management -- Part III. Leading in organizations -- Communication skills -- Organizational climate and the art of motivation -- Inclusiveness and diversity -- Policies and the legal environment -- Career management Part I: Supervising individuals. Today's workplace ; Hiring and interviewing ; Orientation and training ; Managing performance ; Managing rewards Part II: Managing groups. Becoming a manager ; Team work and group dynamics ; Planning and organizing work ; Budgeting basics ; Facilities, space, and safety / Debra J. Pearson ; Managing meetings ; Project management Part III: Leading in organizations. Communication skills ; Organizational climate and the art of motivation ; Inclusiveness and diversity ; Policies and the legal environment ; Career management. Today's workplace includes a wider generational range of staff, and is governed by more complex legal issues. Poor supervisory skills can compound morale problems and lead to organizational issues. McNeil covers the fundamentals of good supervision and management, while providing practical advice with basic commonsense approaches to solving today's management challenges. Cover......Page 2 Title Page......Page 5 Copyright Page......Page 6 Contents......Page 7 List of Figures......Page 9 Preface......Page 11 Part One. Supervising Individuals......Page 14 1. Today’s Workplace......Page 15 Index......Page 1