TRAVELING SHOES

Walking Different Paths to the Same DestinationGlenda Alvin

Head, Acquisitions and Serials

Assistant Director for Collection Management

Tennessee State University

TECH SERVICES JULY 1997

Head of Serials; two library assistants

Head of Acquisitions: three library assistants

Head/Cataloging: 1 assistant librarian & 3

library assistants

12 positions; System: DRA

Functions: Collection Development, Books,

Serials, Weeding, Gifts, Preservation, Gov Docs

& Cataloging.

EASY STREET!

COLLECTION MANAGEMENT 2015

Head of Acquisitions and Serials/Assistant Director for Collection

Management: 1 librarian and 3 assistants

Head of Cataloging; 1 Assistant librarian

7 positions; System: III Sierra

All Librarians have liaison responsibilities

Functions: Collection Development, Books, Serials, Gifts, Weeding,

Preservation, Government Docs, Cataloging, Databases, Link Resolver,

ERM, Document Delivery PLUS Office Supplies, and Payroll

Public Services lost 1 position-Circulation Librarian; Has gained 3

library assistants

HARDSHIP HIGHWAYPLENTY OF POT HOLES !

MEANDERING PATH TO UNCERTAINTY STARTED WITH….

Changes in Budget Allocations

Changes in Format (ejournals, ebooks, etc.,)

Changes in Job Assignments

Changes in Leadership

Changes in Staffing

CHANGES IN BUDGET ALLOCATION

Reduction in funding meant less

books and periodicals to process, which

led to:• Less need for student assistants,

followed by:• Less need for Library Assistants

CHANGES IN FORMATS

Ejournals

Ebooks

Databases

Document Delivery Options

CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP-WHERE TO?

Library Dean retired after 24 years at the helm.

Interim Dean appointed two years ago. No

discussion of a search

New library building scrapped and replaced by

Nursing.

Focus is on day-to-day managing and putting out

fires.

WANTED: DANCING SHOESPERSONNEL ISSUES

CHANGES IN STAFFING

Buyouts-lost Cataloging Assistant to Circulation

Retirements-lost Serials position to Circulation

Health (Library Assistant-Copy Cataloging and

Weeding)-lost position to Special Collections.

Staff In Service Day-Cross Training/Certificate

FLEXIBIL ITY, FAIRNESS AND CREATIVITY

For those left behind: Increased

workload and multi-tasking, which

can sometimes lead to morale

issues.

.

PUT SHOE ON THE OTHER FOOT

Be honest with your staff about what you

can and cannot do about re-classification

and changes in workload, retirement, etc.,

Be sensitive, but fair to career staff concerns

about declining physical and mental abilities.

STEPPING UP

Gave majority of retired serials assistant job to bindery library

assistant- fought for his promotion and got it. Move smaller tasks

to Serials Librarian (claims) and Accounting Clerk(standing

orders)

Negotiated with Circulation Supervisor to handle

discards(removal of records from catalog and packing of books)

Due to decline in book orders, two catalogers and student

assistant are able to handle the workload without outsourcing.

WALKING THE LINE

Middle Manager has some authority and no real power

Always in a position of negotiation and mediating. Complaints

from and about peers (other department heads) and staff have

to be dealt with on two levels: above (Dean) and peers.

All policies and initiatives have to be approved by the Dean,

so the ability to effect meaningful or lasting change is limited

because accomplishment comes with shared vision.

Effect change where you can make a difference.

WALKING INTO THE SUNSET!

Bye!

Three of us are at the

about the same age and

will retire about the

same time

Goal is to position the

department for new

technologies and

challenges.