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But I Want To Hold It In My Hand! Print Resources
Pymm, Bob and Damon D. Hickey. Learn Library Management. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2003. ISBN 0810848856. $30.00. Purchase from Amazon.com.
I distinctly remember one of my library school professors repeatedly telling my classmates and me: "You will be managers!" He was right, and I certainly could have used this handy workbook in the early weeks of my first professional library job. Though you should not expect this easy-to-read workbook to offer in-depth management theory, it provides a respectable overview of the issues faced by library managers. It does so in a practical way, with exercises and case studies appropriate for individuals or small groups. The authors were especially mindful to include a variety of libraries in the exercises, including public, academic, legal, government, and others. They also provide suggested answers, as well as references to more substantive resources. While it cannot replace a solid management class or textbook, Learn Library Management is a good place for a library science student or entry-level manager to begin learning the fundamentals.
Christina Tabereaux is a law librarian for the Connecticut Judicial Branch in Waterbury, Connecticut.
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Statz, Sarah R. Public Speaking Handbook for Librarians and Information Professionals. Jefferson, NC : McFarland, 2003. ISBN 0- 7864-1546-0. $39.95. Purchase from Amazon.com.
The title sounds inclusive, but the book slants toward the traditional; the metamorphoses of BI sessions over the ages are a common theme. Statz promises a useful resource for public speaking neophytes and veterans alike. Six chapters on "The Speaking Process" introduce the basics for preparing and delivering successful speeches and presentations and include knowing the audience and researching topics. The remaining five fall within "The Speaking Environment," and can be read independently for tips on interviewing, interpersonal communication and instruction. A chapter called "Meetings" and the appendix of interviews are handy. Look at any reference job posting, and you'll likely see "liaising with committees" listed right after bibliographic instruction duties. The interviews offer a nice anecdotal component to the "process" outlined in the first half of the book. Note: don't expect to read anything new about the supremacy of PowerPoint, and use the Speaker's Bookshelf sparingly. Just be yourself.
Beatrice R. Pulliam received her M.S. in Library & Information Science from Simmons College in May. Beatrice is actively seeking outreach and instruction opportunities in academic librarianship.