Actually, the Library Is Often Neutral
The question is: in what ways _must_ your library be neutral, and in what ways must it not be? (And how much ideological diversity will your organization tolerate?)
Rick Anderson
Rick Anderson is University Librarian of Brigham Young University, a "chef" at The Scholarly Kitchen, and the author of several books, including _Scholarly Communication: What Everyone Needs to Know_.
The Danger of Halo Words: Or, the Purpose of Assessment Is Not to Assess
If we make the mistake of seeing assessment as a goal in itself, our tendency will be to assess everything we can as rigorously as we can. But if our goal is to achieve organizational improvement, we will focus our assessment activities on the things that matter most to our strategic priorities.
How Will You Know If You've Succeeded?
Sometimes we do things just because they seem like things we ought to do, rather than because we have good reason to expect them to bear meaningful fruit.
“Your Job Is to Advocate for Us.” Well…
Sometimes, effectively defending the needs of your people means declining to advocate for something they want.
On Making Exceptions
There's nothing wrong with making exceptions to rules -- as long as the exceptions are based on clear and fair principles, consistently applied.
Two and a Half Cheers for Efficiency
Let’s pause before reflexively pooh-poohing efficiency. Like any organizational principle, it’s vulnerable to abuse -- but it’s an essential leadership and management principle nonetheless.