Qualities of Academic Librarians Who Advance into Middle Management: An Exploratory Factor Analysis. Issue 5 (4th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hodge, Megan; Spoor, Nicole; Sheehan, Cassidy
• Is Part Of: Journal of library administration. Volume 61:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 530
• Page End: 549
• Publication Date: 2021-07-04
• Subjects: Middle management -- promotion -- public services -- advancement -- academic librarians -- exploratory factor analysis; Library administration -- Periodicals; 025.1
• DOI: 10.1080/01930826.2021.1924531
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0193-0826

Abstract

Abstract: The path to management is difficult for academic librarians without formal supervisory experience, especially in public services. However, little research on how frontline librarians without supervisory experience advance into middle management has been conducted. To determine the extent to which a relationship between certain personal characteristics and librarians' likelihood to advance exists, a survey was administered to public services librarians who had been promoted into middle management within the previous 5 years. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that charismatic presence, long-term thinking, instruction experience, customer service orientation, interpersonal skills, and ability to achieve tenure/promotion in rank contributed to librarians' successful advancement.