Running head: MANAGING A LIBRARY 1

Managing a Library

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Managing a Library

Knowledge is a vital need for development of any given society. The success of any society

economically, socially, morally or on any other aspect depends on the knowledge available.

Knowledge shapes the abilities, attitude, and personality of an individual in a society. Libraries

are the portals to the entire world’s knowledge (Hatch et.al 2006). They are the store of

knowledge acquired over the centuries and from different parts of the world. A library is a

fountain where minds thirsty of knowledge get to quench their thirst; a knowledge store where

people get experiences from the past and the present that guide them in making important

choices in life. The duty of all librarians is to ensure that the knowledge from the past and the

present is accessible to the people that need it. They also have to ensure that knowledge is

continually recorded and saved for the future generations. The mission of this library is to

provide quality information (knowledge) and services to the people in need of it.

The organization of a library is the most valuable tool that determines the success or failure of

the library. The organizational structure determines how efficient the service delivery is in a

library. A good library should have a hybrid organization system. A hybrid system is a

crossbreed of the hierarchical and flat systems. A hybrid system enables independent functioning

of various departments without entirely losing contact with each other. The fact that different

departments are under one head helps various departments work to similar goals and promotes

inter-departmental co-operation. The library should be divided into three units that work directly

under the management; namely; the customer service unit, the learning and research support unit,
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and the media and web unit. The hybrid organizational structure allows for creativity and

innovation in running different departments but ensures that these changes do not interfere with

the normal functioning of the other departments.

Library units are dependent on each other. The learning and research unit of the library depends

on the customer service unit in ensuring proper flow and management of books and resources in

the library. The media and web unit ensures that all the records are well kept which helps both

the customer service unit and learning and research unit work efficiently. The hybrid system has

many advantages in the library. It will enable fast and efficient decision-making. Unlike other

organizational systems, the hybrid system allows for speedy decision making as different

departments work independently. The management will review these decisions to ensure that

they do not affect other units negatively. The hybrid system is highly flexible because of the

independence of various departments. Changes in one department do not affect other

departments making it very flexible. It is easy to adapt to different situations arising in different

departments without affecting the normal running of the library. It also helps the employees

develop cross-functional skills that enable them fit in various departments. The hybrid system

will require employees perform a wide range of functions in a department shaping them into

cross-functional individuals.

One of the major disadvantages of the hybrid systems is that it encourages conflicts between in

the leadership. The workers receive instructions from the heads of department but also from the

management when need arises. In cases where instructions differ the workers might be in a

dilemma on who to follow. H Inter-departmental wrangles might be difficult to resolve as each

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department enjoys freedom in their decision-making procedures.

The organization of the library will be as follows. The management will be the supreme body in

managing the day-to-day activities of the library. The management will consist of Library

Director and head of the IT unit. Together they will ensure all the departments of the library are

working together towards the mission of the library. The Library Director will oversee the

general well-being of the library while the head of the IT unit will facilitate the purchase and

management of ICT properties in all departments. The media and web unit will be responsible

for obtaining printed and electronic material for the library and monitoring their usage. It is also

responsible for managing the Library’s website and web services. The learning and research

support unit will aid different library users in their researches. They will ensure that different

users benefit most from the library. They will also offer tutorials to academic researchers

needing their help. The customer service unit will be responsible for checking books in and out

and dealing with the customers. They should also ensure the library has a conducive environment

that promotes serious reading. All these departments should work independently but maintain a

close relationship to deliver the best quality services.

This library will be to serve the needs of the community, to better the lives of the people by

providing them knowledge. The thirst for knowledge is one universal characteristic of human

beings; it knows no race, status or age. This library should provide to these different classes of

people and help them develop their various needs. The staff should work together to attain our

mission of providing knowledge to the community and serving those in need.

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References

Hatch, Mary Jo & Anne Cunliffe (2006): Organization Theory: Modern, Symbolic, and

Postmodern Perspectives, Oxford University Press