Core Library Leaders and Managers Interest Group

Portraits of three Core members with caption Become a Member: Find Your Home: Core.

 

  • 1.  Doctorate for Library Leadership in Higher Education?

    Posted Jun 19, 2023 07:51 PM

    Hi everyone!

    I've recently been considering pursuing a doctorate and have been torn between a Ph.D in Information Sciences or an Ed.D in Educational Leadership. I'm not very interested in teaching within LIS but more so in pursuing leadership roles in academic libraries. 

    Does anyone here have a doctorate in educational leadership? Can you share more about your career journey and research after earning one? Did you remain within libraries or move into other roles in academia? Or, is the preference for leadership in libraries a Ph.D in Information Sciences?

    Thank you!



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    Kristin Lansdown
    Librarian and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Coordinator
    DePaul University
    She/Her/Hers
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  • 2.  RE: Doctorate for Library Leadership in Higher Education?

    Posted Jun 20, 2023 08:14 AM
    I'd be very interested in the answers as well!


    Thomas San Filippo, whose pronoun.is/he
     Director of Discovery & Access
    DEAL Senate

    Madeleine Clark Wallace Library, G19
     Wheaton College
     26 E. Main Street, Norton, MA 02766
    (508) 286-5601

    My workday might not be your workday. Please don't feel obligated to reply to this email outside of your normal working hours.





  • 3.  RE: Doctorate for Library Leadership in Higher Education?

    Posted Jun 25, 2023 06:54 AM
    Good morning,

    I decided to pursue an EdD in Higher Ed Administration to help me get a broader perspective about how the library fits into that landscape. I continued to work in academic libraries since earning my degree in 2017, moving into senior library administration roles. I would say that what I learned as part of my degree program (I did my degree at the University of Rochester- so can only speak to that program) has been invaluable. 

    In particular, we had a series of classes that focused on decision making. I use those strategies every day in my work. The process of writing the dissertation forced us to really drill down to understand "what the problem was" we were trying to address through our projects. That kind of systems-based thinking has really helped me to assess new opportunities and to help others see when it's time to sunset a particular project or group. I'd be happy to talk more off-line to anyone who is thinking about pursuing a EdD (lbirrell@udel.edu).

    It's worth noting that while I pursued my degree while working full time, my husband was able to take on more of the chores and tasks to keep our home running- grocery shopping, lawn care, etc (we don't have kids). I'm very grateful to have had the time to do this work.

    Thanks!
    Lori Birrell
    Director of Special Collections and Museums
    University of Delaware



    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Doctorate for Library Leadership in Higher Education?

    Posted Jun 21, 2023 09:15 AM

    I am also interested to hear what others have done. My director recently completed her Ph.D. in Learning Technologies (through University of North Texas's College of Information) and has dual appointment within our College of Education. 



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    Jacqueline Bynum
    Collection Development Librarian
    Margaret Estes Library, LeTourneau University
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  • 5.  RE: Doctorate for Library Leadership in Higher Education?

    Posted Jun 21, 2023 11:11 AM

    Hi! I'm ABD and will be defending in the next few months! I would highly recommend our EdD/High Ed Admin/Leadership program here at St Cloud State: https://www.stcloudstate.edu/graduate/hied-edd/default.aspx.  It's completely online with a cohort-based model, and some folks in my cohort finished in 4 years (classes are year-round, but you can take breaks or even stop out for a year if life happens).  

    I think my motivations were both personal as well as professional--as a dean,  I won't get "promoted" w/my doctorate but certainly gives me an edge if I would decide to diversify my portfolio (consulting, facilitating, etc.) and, being in classes with folks outside of the library (academic affairs, student affairs, k-12, etc.) has broadened and impacted my perspectives on educational systems, services, and supports.  This helps me to bring a host of skills, communication styles, frameworks, and theories to conversations w/our partners and stakeholders. 

    Message me if you'd like to get in touch with my advisor (also the director of the program)--he is amazing! All the best in your future studies!



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    Rhonda Huisman
    Dean, University Library
    St. Cloud State University
    She/Her/Hers
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