Core Dialogue with Directors Interest Group

This is a great question, Shanna!

I remember dreaming about being a dean or director someday while I was in library school (2009-2010). Even though I am now a director of a small branch campus library, I did not apply thinking I was ready; in fact, I thought it was a reach. But, I had been laid off due to COVID in May of 2020, so I thought, why not try?

Lo and behold, in October of 2020, I began my first directorship. It's definitely a small pond here, however, I will know every aspect of library operations when I leave this role for whatever's next. Plus, I have an amazing boss, and that makes all the difference in the world for me.

I am just finishing my second master's this semester (MA in Transformational Leadership from Northeastern Seminary), but my brain is already skipping to thoughts about doctoral studies and maybe being a dean someday. Who knows?!

Kellie Barbato, MLS (she/her)

Director, Lineberger Memorial Library

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary

Lenoir-Rhyne University Center for Graduate Studies of Columbia

https://www.lr.edu/ltss | https://www.lr.edu/columbia

1.803.461.3220 (office) | kellie.barbato@lr.edu

"Tolle lege, tolle lege..." – St. Augustine of Hippo, Confessions

I'm really impressed by those who dreamed of being a director, or knew that it was in their future. I took the "slow path" to this role, moving from frontline reference/instruction librarian to gradually more responsible positions, but being at the helm was not in my mind, perhaps because I worked at large research institutions and could not see myself as an ARL dean. A happy life circumstance took me to senior library administration, and that's when I began to realize the truth of what I'd always heard from colleagues: that running a library could be fun. I also knew that I had the experience and vision to help transform a library and provide good leadership for library staff. I really enjoy the fact that being at a small institution means a flatter organization, fewer hoops, and the ability to implement my ideas.

Denise.

--

Denise M Shorey, MLS  |  Director of Archives and Library Services  |  she/her/hers

B.F. Hamilton Library

Schedule a meeting with me

Franklin College

101 Branigin Boulevard, Franklin, Indiana 46131-2623

FranklinCollege.edu  |  library.franklincollege.edu  |  dshorey@franklincollege.edu  |  317.738.8160

This is a great question, Shanna!

I remember dreaming about being a dean or director someday while I was in library school (2009-2010). Even though I am now a director of a small branch campus library, I did not apply thinking I was ready; in fact, I thought it was a reach. But, I had been laid off due to COVID in May of 2020, so I thought, why not try?

Lo and behold, in October of 2020, I began my first directorship. It's definitely a small pond here, however, I will know every aspect of library operations when I leave this role for whatever's next. Plus, I have an amazing boss, and that makes all the difference in the world for me.

I am just finishing my second master's this semester (MA in Transformational Leadership from Northeastern Seminary), but my brain is already skipping to thoughts about doctoral studies and maybe being a dean someday. Who knows?!

Kellie Barbato, MLS (she/her)

Director, Lineberger Memorial Library

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary

Lenoir-Rhyne University Center for Graduate Studies of Columbia

https://www.lr.edu/ltss | https://www.lr.edu/columbia

1.803.461.3220 (office) | kellie.barbato@lr.edu

"Tolle lege, tolle lege..." – St. Augustine of Hippo, Confessions

This is a great question, Shanna!

I remember dreaming about being a dean or director someday while I was in library school (2009-2010). Even though I am now a director of a small branch campus library, I did not apply thinking I was ready; in fact, I thought it was a reach. But, I had been laid off due to COVID in May of 2020, so I thought, why not try?

Lo and behold, in October of 2020, I began my first directorship. It's definitely a small pond here, however, I will know every aspect of library operations when I leave this role for whatever's next. Plus, I have an amazing boss, and that makes all the difference in the world for me.

I am just finishing my second master's this semester (MA in Transformational Leadership from Northeastern Seminary), but my brain is already skipping to thoughts about doctoral studies and maybe being a dean someday. Who knows?!

Kellie Barbato, MLS (she/her)

Director, Lineberger Memorial Library

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary

Lenoir-Rhyne University Center for Graduate Studies of Columbia

https://www.lr.edu/ltss | https://www.lr.edu/columbia

1.803.461.3220 (office) | kellie.barbato@lr.edu

"Tolle lege, tolle lege..." – St. Augustine of Hippo, Confessions

Dear Colleagues--

We would like to introduce ourselves as the new co-chairs of the Dialog with Directors Interest Group. Shelly McCoy is the Associate University Librarian for Public Services and Space Planning at the University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press and Denise Shorey is the Director of Archives and Library Services at Franklin College, Indiana.

We are glad to see a variety of library types and positions represented in this Interest Group, and we look forward to engaging in discussions throughout the year about the pitfalls and pleasures of being a library director or in senior library administration. On that note, let's get the conversation going with this question, "How did you know that you were ready to be a director?"

Add the following email address to your Contacts to send responses --and other discussion questions you have -- to the Interest Group directly. ALA-CoreDialogueWithDirectors@ConnectedCommunity.org.

Sincerely, Denise and Shelly