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Wait, I Never Wanted To Be A Manager!
by Melissa Rabey
When you're in library school, you take classes that are useful and pertinent to your future career - at least, that's the theory. Sometimes, you are simply required to take a class, one that you don't think you'll need. Perhaps you're a future children's librarian, stuck in a cataloging class. Or, you plan to be a systems librarian, but have to take reader's advisory. If you're new to libraries or to the workplace, like I was, it can be difficult to see how a class outside of your intended future specialization can be helpful. Considering how many people wish that library school were more oriented toward practice than theory, taking a class that seems like "pointless" theory can be vexing indeed.
Made to Take Management
For me, taking my library school's required course in management was like taking algebra in high school. I couldn't see how I would ever use management in my professional career, just like I once said that I would never use algebra in the real world. Additionally, I felt that management was primarily common sense. Common sense told me that management was obvious: you should be fair with everyone you worked with, listen to different perspectives, and rely on the strengths of your colleagues. It was a waste of time to learn management skills - isn't a good manager born, not made?
Since the class was required, though, I knew I'd have to go through it one way or another. I put off management till my last semester, a seven-week summer session. The class started with a few weeks of lectures, learning about different management theories and practices. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed these lectures. I even found a topic for my first paper without much effort; I chose to write about Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, early management specialists and the parents in Cheaper by the Dozen. I began looking forward to the second half of the class, when the students would be split into three case study groups. Each of the groups would be the management team of a library, facing different challenges.
My group's case study focused on the mismanagement of an academic library. Staff morale was low, the library had little impact on the university, and there were no mission statement or job descriptions. I thought it would be exciting to see how my group would confront these tests. My interest quickly became frustration, however. My group seemed to spend too much time talking, without deciding anything! Every meeting, we would nearly reach consensus, only for a group member to start grinding some axe and holding us back. I usually kept my frustration quiet; I didn't want to be branded as a dictator. I did my part of the assignments and tried to contribute to group discussions without being pushy.
More Than Common Sense
When I finished the class, I was happy at the thought of putting management behind me. I could focus on getting my first position and discovering what kind of librarian I was. Imagine my surprise, though, to discover how much management played into my entry-level position! I was one of two librarians in a small branch, without an on-site manager. I began to see that common sense and management weren't synonymous.
One example was when I tried to rectify a minor dispute with my colleague. Rather than talking with her directly, I went to our manager. It seemed like common sense to me, but, in following my "common sense" I hadn't stopped to think about how it would look from my colleague's point of view. Once I put myself in her shoes, I could see why she would see my action as inappropriate. These kinds of interpersonal relationships might or might not have been covered in class. Either way, I had first-hand evidence that common sense wasn't everything you needed to be a good employee and colleague, much less a good manager.
Sink or Swim
This example was only the tip of the iceberg, however. Just over a year after I started my position, my colleague left for a new job. I suddenly found myself overseeing much of the day-to-day operation of my library. To say I wasn't prepared is an understatement. Dealing with building issues, difficult patrons, staff shortages, and little administrative support made me feel a lack of confidence in my abilities. I focused on keeping the library running smoothly and satisfying our patrons. Thankfully, the six months that I was a quasi-supervisor did not see any catastrophes. Yet, I often found myself saying, "I wish I had paid more attention in management!" This was a phrase I'd never thought I'd utter.
That first job taught me more about the practical aspects of management than I could have hoped to learn in my whole professional career. Part of the shock of the situation at the time was that I never wanted to be the boss, but, in a way, I was. Since I had never considered the possibility of being a manager, I hadn't prepared myself for this. After this on-the-job training, I understood why library schools have certain course requirements: to prepare you for the unexpected situations you experience in your career.
We Are All Managers
In my management class, we were told that, no matter how big your library, every librarian is a manager. I didn't believe it then, but I do now. I manage resources, knowledge, and individuals. I help accomplish the goals of my organization, and I represent my library system within my community and professional organizations. In the five years since I finished library school, and in the two library systems I've worked in, I've added to what I learned by reading books and articles, discussing management topics with colleagues, and observing my own supervisors.
Perhaps that course in management could have given me more of this knowledge, and made me realize that good managers are made, not born. This lesson was learned through practical experiences, but I could have learned it in the classroom. I'm thankful, however, that I have learned that management is so much more than common sense.
Melissa Rabey is currently Senior Librarian, Teen Services, at the Pt. Pleasant Borough Branch of the Ocean County (NJ) Library System. She maintains a blog and contributes articles to Pop Goes the Library!