Leadership of Academic Libraries: A Literature Review

Abstract

This review synthesizes what is known about the characteristics and leadership style of university librari ans and academic library directors. It is the leadership of the library that determines whether a philosophy and vision are articulated and to what extent they are implemented . Leadership influences a library's ef fectiveness, institutional role, and adaptability. Publications on recruitment, leadership potential identifica tion, career development, roles and responsibilities, and characteristics and management style were in cluded.

The Road to Effective Leadership

“…Current literature about library leaders and leadership describes the essential skills for librarians as the need to be assertive and self-aware (Mason & Wetherbee, 2004), to communicate a vision (Riggs, 1993), to empower others (Sullivan, 1999), to be innovative and creative (Sheldon, 1991), to be technically and professionally competent (Sheldon, 1991), and to have the trust of the staff and to value people (Katz, 1990). Additionally, ARL studies identified over 100 skills, traits, and areas of knowledge that are considered desirable attributes for library leaders (Hernon, Powell, & Young, 2003), such as leadership influence over a library's effectiveness, institutional roles, and responsibilities, by examining characteristics and leadership styles (Weiner, 2003).…”

Leadership and leadership development in academic libraries: a review

“…A review in 2003 found that there was no agreed set of leader characteristics in the literature. Lacking was a comprehensive body of cohesive, evidenced-based research (Weiner, 2003). Many papers present lists of qualities based on the authors' observation and personal experience.…”

“…In her well-cited review, Weiner (2003) observes that librarians' interest on leadership mostly focused around leaders characteristics. However, different studies came up with different lists.…”

From Women-Staffed to Women-Led: Gender and Leadership in Academic Libraries, 1974-2018

“…This article reviews post-1974 scholarly literature on women's leadership in academic libraries, with the emphasis on the United States. Gender was only briefly mentioned in Weiner's (2003) overview of trends in academic library leadership; two recent reviews of library leadership literature (Stewart 2017;Wong, 2017) do not address gender at all. The purpose of this synthesis, then, is to highlight research areas and themes that have significantly expanded the profession's knowledge about gender and its impact at the top administrative level.…”