Movin' on up: Lessons learned from moving from Access Services to Leading a Library

Abstract

Access Services is a unique area of librarianship. It touches upon public services, technical services, facilities, and management. In many ways, it provides an excellent training ground to apply or learn leadership or management practices. However, it can be difficult making the jump from managing an Access Services unit to leading a whole library organization. This presentation is geared towards those in Access Services librarianship who are considering a move to library administration down the road., , After leading Access Services departments at three very different libraries, the presenter moved up to Library Director at Whittier College. He will discuss the struggles encountered in getting considered for library director/dean positions with an Access Services background as well as challenges as a new director and finally, insight on lessons learned from Access Services that can be applied to library administration.