My biggest professional challenge: what does a library director does all day and what keeps them up at night

Sunday: 10:15-12:15

RK from RC!
Margaret Donnellan Todd, County of LA Public
Teresa Landers, Sanata Cruz Public
Paymaneh Maghsoudi, Whittier Public

This was by far my favorite program of the whole conference! Great, insightful, educational program! I really appreciated all the directors taking the time, their openess, honesty, and advice.

I knew library directors did more than meetings, that there was lots of politics, city "stuff", any big problem, and meetings. This was very insightful to hear about what you do all day - and very scary! You guys have one tough job!

Teresa Landers - Santa Cruz - shared her story about coming from Oregon to be director at the Santa Cruz system, which was facing branch closures, layoffs, and the retiring of a director who had beent here 25 years. It was so bad they were borrowing money fromt he city fro payroll. She had to face creating a plan of attack for the library to survive - including where money would come from, hours, staffing, and gettign the buy in of the community, 9 member board, staff - all in the press! Very tough - over 2 and 1/2 years. There library has figured out a plan that doesn't close branches, but does limit hours and will be laying off staff. All staff in the library have helped to create a new culture, a learning organization, centralized programming, undergoing trainings and teamwork to create this new library.

What keeps her up - being an agent of change, find a mentor, find a confidant,

Her advice to young library leaders - be true to yourself, follow your passion, develop a thick skin. If the library stays the same it will die. If you love control, this is not the job for you. Look at the job description see the skills needed - decide if it's interesting and pursue. Create a startegic plan for your library. Find a mentor. If you get one thing on your list done in a day that's good. Check policy's, listen to staff - change bad policies.

RK - All about our city and library! I was fascinated to learn about our budget - 79% porperty taxes (that go through a very weird loop through RDA, 3% assessment, to state, then back to us with no guarentees) and he has to *FIND* the other 21%! Yikes - that would keep me up too! It makes all of the fund sources the library does - that much more relevant! Passports, media rentals, friends, foundation, and our telethon - thank goodness!

Rk's advice (hopefully I got this info. right) - be mindful of opportunities to make impression with important people, be entrepreneurial,foster a culture that embraces creativity

Margaret - County of LA - 86 libraries in 50 cities, you have to show up to all city council, library meetings. LOTS of events - this talkt ime is important. Budget is a constant worry. Never discuss personnel. Bad press - can't change, just tryt o warn folks it's coming. You never know what to expect - ex. PETA accusing animal abuse of discount circus tickets being offered and a sled dog performer. Be present. Invest time. Staffing - never hire because you are desperate, feel bad, or it's someone's turn. You hire because the person is right and it is a mutal fit with organization. Don't be paralyzed by lawsuits or bad behavior. This is not our mom and pop company. We are responsible for sheparding tax payers funds - no luxury to be soft hearted. Privatizing libraries is a bad idea - viewed as a corporate service and will loose support of community.

What keeps her up at night - safety

Advice - Reccommend MPA / MBA for position - finance, bonding, personnel experience. Be active in community groups. You will have to make harsh, difficult decisions.

Paymaneh Maghsoudi, Whittier Public - Be true to what you love. Libraries are a hub that connect people. Pay attention library trends. Director is the vision, voice, and knowledge of where library needs to go. Hardest part of job is personnel issues.

Very interesting! Hope this info gives you the idea of the workshop. I would love to see future workshops with directors sharing more experience and info. It would also be intersting to see a workshop about working with library boards (Teresa suggested this workshop and it sounded interesting)!