Core Library Leaders and Managers Interest Group

Thanks to Erik for the idea for this thread. Here are some of the things I've done in this role and please feel free to add others:

• Schedule a meeting with everyone in the library including students and listen to their stories and experiences
  • As new employees start, make sure you do the same thing
• Then you can make a list of what themes you hear and items you can address right away vs longer-term issues
• Meet with any external stakeholders and get their feedback and their take on things
• Get to learn everything you can about the organization's people, processes, policies, documentation, etc. so you know the context you are working within
• Listen and watch-don't start making changes just yet!
• Start to map out what you want to work on, what the priorities might be etc. so you can think through these areas
• Be clear and transparent about how you want to communicate, make decisions, share documents, etc. This may need to be a broader discussion with your admin team, department heads, etc.

Thank you!

------------------------------
Cinthya Ippoliti
University of Colorado, Denver
------------------------------

I agree wholeheartedly with your bullet items, Cinthyia!  Most of them underline the reality that good leadership is based on good relationships.  Getting to know people in a sincere and genuine way has always proven useful to me. 

I would add that getting on top of budget and finance is critical. Know where you get your funding, understand the rules/regulations which limit/guide its use, and get into the details about how it is expended.

------------------------------
Erik Nordberg
Dean of Libraries
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jan 14, 2020 02:01 PM
From: Cinthya Ippoliti
Subject: Priorities as you get started in your role

Thanks to Erik for the idea for this thread. Here are some of the things I've done in this role and please feel free to add others:

• Schedule a meeting with everyone in the library including students and listen to their stories and experiences
  • As new employees start, make sure you do the same thing
• Then you can make a list of what themes you hear and items you can address right away vs longer-term issues
• Meet with any external stakeholders and get their feedback and their take on things
• Get to learn everything you can about the organization's people, processes, policies, documentation, etc. so you know the context you are working within
• Listen and watch-don't start making changes just yet!
• Start to map out what you want to work on, what the priorities might be etc. so you can think through these areas
• Be clear and transparent about how you want to communicate, make decisions, share documents, etc. This may need to be a broader discussion with your admin team, department heads, etc.

Thank you!

------------------------------
Cinthya Ippoliti
University of Colorado, Denver
------------------------------

I agree with this item from Erik's list.  When I started as director, I thought I'd done a good job of it, so I was flabbergasted to hear someone say, "We have a new director -- and she has IDEAS!"  You'll be changing things just by being a new person in the position, even if you aren't making massive changes from your perspective.


------------------------------
Linda Kramer
Director of Library Services
Martin Luther College
New Ulm MN
kramerlm@mlc-wels.edu
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jan 17, 2020 01:18 PM
From: Erik Nordberg
Subject: Priorities as you get started in your role

I agree wholeheartedly with your bullet items, Cinthyia!  Most of them underline the reality that good leadership is based on good relationships.  Getting to know people in a sincere and genuine way has always proven useful to me.

I would add that getting on top of budget and finance is critical. Know where you get your funding, understand the rules/regulations which limit/guide its use, and get into the details about how it is expended.

------------------------------
Erik Nordberg
Dean of Libraries
Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Original Message:
Sent: Jan 14, 2020 02:01 PM
From: Cinthya Ippoliti
Subject: Priorities as you get started in your role

Thanks to Erik for the idea for this thread. Here are some of the things I've done in this role and please feel free to add others:

• Schedule a meeting with everyone in the library including students and listen to their stories and experiences
  • As new employees start, make sure you do the same thing
• Then you can make a list of what themes you hear and items you can address right away vs longer-term issues
• Meet with any external stakeholders and get their feedback and their take on things
• Get to learn everything you can about the organization's people, processes, policies, documentation, etc. so you know the context you are working within
• Listen and watch-don't start making changes just yet!
• Start to map out what you want to work on, what the priorities might be etc. so you can think through these areas
• Be clear and transparent about how you want to communicate, make decisions, share documents, etc. This may need to be a broader discussion with your admin team, department heads, etc.

Thank you!

------------------------------
Cinthya Ippoliti
University of Colorado, Denver
------------------------------

I think taking the time to meet with people and form relationships are critical. Something I struggled with when I started in my role was trying to make too much change too quickly. This book is a great resource for structuring those early days: https://www.amazon.com/First-90-Days-Strategies-Expanded/dp/1422188612

------------------------------
Lori Birrell
Associate Dean for Special Collections
University of Arkansas
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jan 20, 2020 10:54 AM
From: Linda Kramer
Subject: Priorities as you get started in your role

I agree with this item from Erik's list.  When I started as director, I thought I'd done a good job of it, so I was flabbergasted to hear someone say, "We have a new director -- and she has IDEAS!"  You'll be changing things just by being a new person in the position, even if you aren't making massive changes from your perspective.

Listen and watch-don't start making changes just yet!

Erik Nordberg,  Jan 17, 2020 01:18 PM

------------------------------
Linda Kramer
Director of Library Services
Martin Luther College
New Ulm MN
kramerlm@mlc-wels.edu

Original Message:
Sent: Jan 17, 2020 01:18 PM
From: Erik Nordberg
Subject: Priorities as you get started in your role

I agree wholeheartedly with your bullet items, Cinthyia!  Most of them underline the reality that good leadership is based on good relationships.  Getting to know people in a sincere and genuine way has always proven useful to me.

I would add that getting on top of budget and finance is critical. Know where you get your funding, understand the rules/regulations which limit/guide its use, and get into the details about how it is expended.

------------------------------
Erik Nordberg
Dean of Libraries
Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Original Message:
Sent: Jan 14, 2020 02:01 PM
From: Cinthya Ippoliti
Subject: Priorities as you get started in your role

Thanks to Erik for the idea for this thread. Here are some of the things I've done in this role and please feel free to add others:

• Schedule a meeting with everyone in the library including students and listen to their stories and experiences
  • As new employees start, make sure you do the same thing
• Then you can make a list of what themes you hear and items you can address right away vs longer-term issues
• Meet with any external stakeholders and get their feedback and their take on things
• Get to learn everything you can about the organization's people, processes, policies, documentation, etc. so you know the context you are working within
• Listen and watch-don't start making changes just yet!
• Start to map out what you want to work on, what the priorities might be etc. so you can think through these areas
• Be clear and transparent about how you want to communicate, make decisions, share documents, etc. This may need to be a broader discussion with your admin team, department heads, etc.

Thank you!

------------------------------
Cinthya Ippoliti
University of Colorado, Denver
------------------------------