1. 1 What are Core Competencies for Library Leaders in the Digital Age? Libraries in the Digital Age Dubrovnik, Croatia May 26, 2004

2. 2 Core Competencies Wanda V. Dole, Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas, USA Wanda V. Dole, Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas, USA Jitka M. Hurych, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, USA Jitka M. Hurych, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, USA Anne Liebst, Washburn University, Anne Liebst, Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas, USA

3. 3 Outline What are core competencies? What are core competencies? Core competencies for librarians? Core competencies for librarians? Core competencies for library leaders? Core competencies for library leaders? Assessment is a core competency for leaders in ARL libraries (Beck, 2003) Assessment is a core competency for leaders in ARL libraries (Beck, 2003) Is Assessment a core competency for Is Assessment a core competency for leaders in other libraries?

4. 4 Core Competencies Definition: Specific range of skills, abilities or knowledge that enable or qualify someone to perform a particular function or carry out selected responsibilities. (Fisher, 2001; Webber, 1999) Definition: Specific range of skills, abilities or knowledge that enable or qualify someone to perform a particular function or carry out selected responsibilities. (Fisher, 2001; Webber, 1999)

5. 5 Core Competencies Prahalad and Hamel: successful organizations understand and exploit their core competencies (1990, 1993) Prahalad and Hamel: successful organizations understand and exploit their core competencies (1990, 1993) Prahalad and Hamel: a core competency: Prahalad and Hamel: a core competency: –Provides a long-term strategic advantage –Contributes to perceived customer benefits –Is difficult for competitors to imitate

6. 6 Core Competencies of Librarians Rich literature (1990 ---) Rich literature (1990 ---) Some authors mix “core competencies” (skills and knowledge) and behavioral or personality traits Some authors mix “core competencies” (skills and knowledge) and behavioral or personality traits Overview of literature (Giesecke and McNeil, 1999, 2001 Overview of literature (Giesecke and McNeil, 1999, 2001

7. 7 Core Competencies of Librarians Academic librarians (Grealy, 1998) Academic librarians (Grealy, 1998) Public librarians (Naylor, 2000) Public librarians (Naylor, 2000) Special librarians (Ojala, 1995; Jones Special librarians (Ojala, 1995; Jones Reference librarians (Bell, 2003) Reference librarians (Bell, 2003) Acquisitions librarians (Fisher, 2001) Acquisitions librarians (Fisher, 2001) Information professionals (Webber, 1999) Information professionals (Webber, 1999) Law librarians (Jones, 1998; AALL, 2001) Law librarians (Jones, 1998; AALL, 2001) Medical librarians (Moore, 2000) Medical librarians (Moore, 2000) Music librarians (Hunter, 2000) Music librarians (Hunter, 2000)

8. 8 Core Competencies of Library Leaders Directors (Soete, 1998; Auret, 1996) Directors (Soete, 1998; Auret, 1996) Assistant directors (Giesecke, Michalak, & Franklin, 1997) Assistant directors (Giesecke, Michalak, & Franklin, 1997) Top management teams (Mahmoodi & King, 1991-92) Top management teams (Mahmoodi & King, 1991-92) “Next generation of library leaders” (Hernon, Young & Powell, 2001, 2002, 2003) “Next generation of library leaders” (Hernon, Young & Powell, 2001, 2002, 2003)

9. 9 Hernon, Young & Powell Identified attributes (knowledge, skills & critical competencies) for library leaders in Identified attributes (knowledge, skills & critical competencies) for library leaders in –ARL libraries –Large public libraries –ACRL libraries Found similarities in preferred attributes Found similarities in preferred attributes

10. 10 Is Assessment a core competency for library leaders? Beck (2003) studied administrators in 9 ARL libraries that participated in LibQUAL+ ™ project Beck (2003) studied administrators in 9 ARL libraries that participated in LibQUAL+ ™ project Interviewed deans and top administrators, April & June 2002 Interviewed deans and top administrators, April & June 2002 Administered two survey instruments Administered two survey instruments –Do You Have a Culture of Assessment –Factors in Decision Making

11. 11 Beck’s Findings Library administrators did use data for planning, budgeting & setting priorities Library administrators did use data for planning, budgeting & setting priorities The extent of use depends on administrator’s : The extent of use depends on administrator’s : –Philosophy of leadership –Need for information –Personal interest in assessment –Local organizational culture

12. 12 Our Study Asks Can Beck’s method & instruments be used in other (non ARL) libraries? Can Beck’s method & instruments be used in other (non ARL) libraries? Would Beck’s conclusions about the role of assessment be true in other libraries? Would Beck’s conclusions about the role of assessment be true in other libraries? Should our study be expanded to more libraries? Should our study be expanded to more libraries?

13. 13 Our Study Reviewed the literature Reviewed the literature Consulted with Beck Consulted with Beck Obtained permission to use her surveys Obtained permission to use her surveys –Pretested surveys –Revised surveys Visited 3 Carnegie MA I libraries Visited 3 Carnegie MA I libraries

14. 14 Our Study: Method Studied administrators at 3 Carnegie MA I universities in March 2004 Studied administrators at 3 Carnegie MA I universities in March 2004 Replicated Beck’s method Replicated Beck’s method –Interviews –Administered Beck’s survey instruments

15. 15 Preliminary Results Beck’s method transferred easily to our sample of Carnegie MA I libraries Beck’s method transferred easily to our sample of Carnegie MA I libraries Overall responses similar to those reported by Beck Overall responses similar to those reported by Beck Some differences between responses of deans and upper administrators to Factors in Decision Making survey Some differences between responses of deans and upper administrators to Factors in Decision Making survey

16. 16 Conclusions Assessment is as important in Carnegie MA I libraries Assessment is as important in Carnegie MA I libraries Further study is needed Further study is needed –Mine the data –Expand to more Carnegie MA I libraries –Expand to Carnegie MA I libraries that participated in LibQUAL+™ –Expand to staff librarians

17. 17 Thank you! Questions? Suggestions? Questions? Suggestions? Contact us Contact us –wanda.dole@washburn.edu anda.dole@washburn.edu –anne.liebst@washburn.edu nne.liebst@washburn.edu –jitka@niu.edu