For Library Directors: Leading the Library After an Election
Your library is more ideologically diverse than you think it is. In the wake of this bitter election season, here are three principles to help you work with that diversity.
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_.
Innovation, Part 1: Innovation is Value-Neutral
Innovation, like change more generally, is neither good nor bad in itself. The question is: does the innovation in question make things better?
The Farther You Are from a System, the Simpler it Looks
As your scope of authority – and therefore the opportunity to make high-handed decisions without input from others – increases, your ability to fully assess the implications of your decisions within the organization actually decreases.
Actually, the Plural of "Anecdote" _Is_ "Data." But...
Beware the argument from anecdote. But don't underestimate the importance of anecdotes, either.
Objection to Change Isn’t Always Fear of Change
When leaders encounter resistance to change, it's easy to dismiss it as a fear response. That's a mistake.
Defaulting to Transparency
Don’t keep information indoors unless you’re confident you can clearly and convincingly answer the question “Why couldn’t that information have been shared?”.