It Takes a Village to Manage the 21st Century Reference Department

Authors

P. S. McMillen, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
L. Rielly

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-2003

Publication Title

The Reference Librarian

Volume

39

Issue

81

First page number:

71

Last page number:

87

Abstract

Reference services at Oregon State University's Valley Library have undergone several reorganizations in response to institutional changes, shifting service needs and patron demands. Part of this history includes training for and functioning in team-based management. We have now evolved to a management model that utilizes workgroups and an advisory and coordinating council to assist in running the department. We find this model provides flexibility, sharing of the workload and professional development opportunities, all of which are essential in today's tumultuous reference environment. We will describe the functioning, potential hazards and multiple advantages of this model.

Keywords

Management models; Participatory management; Professional development; Reference services; Team management

Disciplines

Library and Information Science

Language

English

Repository Citation

McMillen, P. S., Rielly, L. (2003). It Takes a Village to Manage the 21st Century Reference Department. The Reference Librarian, 39(81), 71-87.
https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/lib_articles/35