Libraries often attract people who want to work in that setting (and perhaps that specific library), and who then stay in their positions for a long time. We frequently hear of library staff, who have been at the same library for decades. Some may have been in the same position for decades. The good news is that this creates a stable work environment and a stable staff may be just what the library needs in order to meet its goals.
Staff that is in place for a long time has the opportunity to really get to know the community. They know the community’s power structure, etc., and can get things done in a way that a newcomer might not.
Yes, a stable staff is a good.
But a stable staff does not necessarily allow people to develop the skills they might need to move into a position which has more responsibilities. For example, when the director retires, does the assistant director – or perhaps a branch manager – have the correct skills and experience to move into the director position?
Michael Sauers is the Director of Logan Library in Logan, UT. Prior to this he was one of the founding staff and Technology Manager for Do Space in Omaha, NE. After earning his MLS in 1995 from the University at Albany's School of Information Science and Policy Michael spent his first 20 years as a librarian training other librarians in technology along with time as a public library trustee, a bookstore manager for a library friends group, a reference librarian, a technology consultant, and a bookseller. He has written dozens of articles for various journals and magazines and has published 14 books ranging from library technology, blogging, Web design, and an index to a popular horror magazine. In his spare time, he blogs at TravelinLibrarian.info, runs The Collector's Guide to Dean Koontz website at CollectingKoontz.com, takes many, many photos, and typically reads more than 100 books a year.
Unless otherwise stated, all opinions are my own and are not to be considered those of the City of Logan, UT.
View all posts by Michael Sauers
