Leadership Development for Academic Librarians: Maintaining the Status Quo?

Abstract

Leadership development experiences within librarianship are immensely popular. The informal critiques that are leveled at these programs, however, claim that they serve only to reinforce the status quo and that they do not address the real issues affecting our profession, particularly those relating to racial and gender diversity. In order to critically determine the value of these programs, I examine them through the lens of critical race theory. Elements of critical race theory are illustrated through details solicited from the program coordinators and from available information on program websites and in professional literature. While these leadership programs frame themselves as creating transformational leaders, focusing on team-building, collaboration, and motivation, their curriculum and structure perpetuate the status quo in relation to librarianship's existing structural biases. There are steps that can be taken, however, to better develop diverse leaders with our professional values in mind.

More Critical, Less Managerial: Addressing the Managerialist Ideology in Academic Libraries

“…Many of these leadership institutes do not frame their training through a critical lens, and they continue to reproduce practices rooted in managerialism. Hines (2019) provided insight into leadership program coordinators' rationalizing and reaffirming behaviours; they were unwilling to see the issues inherent in the content and approach. Hines (2019) explained:…”