Using Participatory Management in Access Services Improves Staff Quality and Participation in Decision-Making

Abstract

Traditionally, libraries have been run by authoritarian managers with all decisions being made at the top while the staff was expected to follow directions without question. That style of management can still be found in many academic libraries today. However, Access Services Librarians are now beginning to use participatory management to successfully direct their staff. Using participatory management increases work productivity, greater job satisfaction, higher level of motivation, improved quality and reduced costs. The speaker is an advocate of participatory management and has used it while serving as a Library Director for over two decades and now as the Coordinator of Access Services.