Leadership for future libraries

Abstract

Purpose – Leadership is always important but is especially important at times of rapid and even fundamental change. The purpose of this paper is to discuss and evidence the changes and decisions facing librarians in our world against the backdrop of international disrupted business models for libraries. The traditional mode of operation for libraries is changing dramatically in order to stay relevant and connected to our library users. This paper will aim to explore future leadership styles which will be required for special librarians. This will be set in the context of the NextGen Leadership program which this author established and conducted across Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai. The paper will also seek to draw on the author's experiences seeking new scenario futures for special libraries in Australia. Design/methodology/approach – This paper will explore future leadership styles which will be required for special librarians. This will be set in the context of the NextGen Leadership program which this author established and conducted across Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai. It will also draw on the author's experiences seeking new scenario futures for special libraries in Australia. Findings – The evaluation of the Next Gen Leadership program is reviewed in this paper. Research limitations/implications – The implications are that librarians need programs such as Next Gen in order to be able to test new ways of adopting management behaviours. These new ways of operating can be tested through programs such as Next Gen which operate over a lengthy period of time. Practical implications – It is crucial that existing managers of academic libraries establish these leadership programs into the future as a means of ensuring good succession planning. Originality/value – This is a genuinely original program spanning three countries/cities; Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai. The opportunity for participants in this course to meet, inter-mingle and network into the future with similar colleagues is unique. The opportunities to test new modes of management in such a course, remote from the work environment, are of value to the management styles of each individual into the future.

Current trends and issues affecting academic libraries and leadership skills

“…On the other hand, one of the most important qualities of leadership development is an eagerness to work with risk and understanding what risk is and be ready to engage with it. Risk is not failure but rather an eagerness to engage with challenging issues while estimating the possibility of success and failure (O'Conner, 2014).…”

Leadership and leadership development in academic libraries: a review

“…For instance, the NextGen: Next Decade Program was conducted in 2011 with 24 professionals from university libraries in Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai. It spanned four months, included face-to-face workshops, tele-workshops, project meetings and individual learning challenges (O’Connor, 2014). Program formats should support the curriculum design.…”

Leadership in disruptive times

“…Another management consulting firm, McKinsey & Co. issued a series of reports in 2014(Enriquez et al, 2015, McKinsey & Company, 2014a, 2014b, 2015a, 2015b, 2015c. In brief, they concluded, worldwide economic conditions were challenged at best in most if not all parts of the world.…”