Library Management Course

Lesson 1 • Professional Ethics and Standards

Covers intellectual freedom, patron privacy, and professional codes of conduct. Grounds ethical decision-making in daily library operations.

Lesson 2 • Core Library Management Roles

Defines the responsibilities of library directors, department heads, and frontline staff. Clarifies how roles interact within an organizational hierarchy.

Lesson 3 • Library Stakeholders and Community Needs

Identifies internal and external stakeholders and methods for assessing community information needs. Connects stakeholder analysis to service planning.

Lesson 1 • Collection Assessment and Evaluation

Introduces quantitative and qualitative methods for measuring collection strength and gaps. Results inform future selection priorities and budget requests.

Lesson 2 • Weeding and Collection Maintenance

Applies systematic criteria for removing outdated or damaged materials to keep collections current. Connects weeding decisions to space planning and budget reallocation.

Lesson 3 • Selection and Acquisition Processes

Covers tools for identifying titles, evaluating vendors, and processing orders. Links acquisition workflows to budget constraints established in policy.

Lesson 4 • Writing a Collection Development Policy

Defines the components of a formal collection policy including scope, selection criteria, and review cycles. Provides the governance framework for all acquisition decisions.

Lesson 1 • Subject Headings and Controlled Vocabulary

Covers the assignment of standardized subject headings and thesaurus terms to improve discoverability. Demonstrates how controlled vocabulary enhances catalog search results.

Lesson 2 • MARC and Metadata Formats

Explains MARC record fields, indicators, and subfields alongside emerging metadata schemas. Connects record structure to integrated library system functionality.

Lesson 3 • Classification Systems

Compares major classification schemes used to assign call numbers and organize physical collections. Enables managers to choose and apply the appropriate scheme.

Lesson 4 • Cataloging Principles and Standards

Introduces descriptive cataloging rules, authority control, and the purpose of bibliographic records. Establishes the conceptual foundation for all cataloging work.

Lesson 1 • Selecting and Implementing Library Software

Guides the needs assessment, vendor comparison, and migration process for library software. Prepares managers to lead technology transitions with minimal service disruption.

Lesson 2 • Library Website and Discovery Layers

Addresses the design, content management, and usability of library websites and discovery interfaces. Ensures patrons can locate resources efficiently across all formats.

Lesson 3 • Integrated Library Systems Overview

Describes the modules, architecture, and workflows of an integrated library system. Provides the technical foundation for all subsequent system administration tasks.

Lesson 4 • Digital Library Platforms and Repositories

Covers open-source and commercial platforms for hosting digital collections and institutional repositories. Connects platform choice to preservation and access goals.

Lesson 1 • Interlibrary Loan and Resource Sharing

Explains interlibrary loan protocols, borrowing and lending workflows, and network participation. Extends patron access beyond the local collection.

Lesson 2 • Measuring Circulation Service Quality

Applies output and outcome metrics to evaluate circulation performance and patron satisfaction. Data informs staffing, policy adjustments, and service improvements.

Lesson 3 • Stacks Management and Shelving

Addresses shelving accuracy, shelf reading, and physical collection maintenance routines. Directly affects patron ability to locate materials independently.

Lesson 4 • Circulation Policy Design

Establishes loan periods, renewal rules, holds, and fine structures for different patron groups. Policies balance access equity with collection availability.

Lesson 1 • Workplace Culture and Conflict Resolution

Addresses team dynamics, communication norms, and structured approaches to resolving workplace conflict. A healthy culture reduces turnover and improves patron service.

Lesson 2 • Staff Supervision and Performance Management

Introduces supervision styles, goal-setting, and formal performance appraisal cycles. Builds a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Lesson 3 • Workforce Planning and Job Design

Analyzes staffing needs, creates position descriptions, and structures teams for operational efficiency. Aligns workforce composition with service priorities.

Lesson 4 • Recruitment and Hiring Practices

Covers job posting, candidate screening, interviewing, and equitable selection processes. Ensures hiring decisions are defensible and aligned with institutional values.

Lesson 1 • Procurement and Vendor Management

Applies purchasing procedures, contract review, and vendor performance monitoring to library acquisitions. Ensures fiscal accountability and value in all expenditures.

Lesson 2 • Library Funding Sources and Models

Identifies public appropriations, grants, fees, and fundraising as revenue streams. Understanding funding diversity reduces dependence on any single source.

Lesson 3 • Budget Planning and Preparation

Applies line-item, program, and zero-based budgeting methods to library financial planning. Produces a budget document that aligns spending with strategic priorities.

Lesson 4 • Grant Writing and Management

Guides the identification of grant opportunities, proposal writing, and post-award compliance. Grants expand services beyond base budget capacity.

Lesson 1 • Environmental Scanning and SWOT Analysis

Applies environmental scanning tools and SWOT analysis to assess the library's internal and external landscape. Findings drive strategic priority identification.

Lesson 2 • Leading Organizational Change

Applies change management models to library restructuring, technology adoption, and service redesign. Reduces resistance and sustains momentum through transitions.

Lesson 3 • Mission, Vision, and Strategic Goals

Guides the crafting of mission and vision statements and the translation of priorities into measurable strategic goals. Aligns the entire organization around shared direction.

Lesson 4 • Measuring Strategic Performance

Designs balanced scorecards and outcome measurement frameworks to evaluate strategic plan progress. Reporting results builds credibility with governing bodies and funders.