Explain and apply interdisciplinary theories and models relevant to managing library and information service agencies
The library is a business, an institution, a place, a colllection, a community - in short, a living organism. In order to manage libraries, one must understand libraries - at least in part. As librarianship is an ecclectic discipline that is affected by many other disciplines, there are many ways to approach organization and management theory for libraries. Libraries have been described using business models, socio-political theory, and even philosophical constructs.
Many overlapping elements, or sectors influence the library. The environment the library resides in affects it, as do the actions of the stakeholders of libraries, library service, and library collections. But, should a library be shaped by its environment and outside resources, by its stakeholders, or by a governing authority? And within the library organism, what is the best way to manage the library - from day-to-day activities to setting policy and direction?
In my experience, I find that a library gains social significance and support if it listens well and carefully to its patrons and stakeholders (stakeholder theory). Personally, I find my best work comes in a team environment where a more horizontal organization of employees is present.
In the following document, I had the chance, along with several of my classmates, to apply organizational theories in creating a fictional ideal organization.
Artifact demonstrating this outcome
LI805 Organization Theories for Adminstrative Information Agencies
Our group created a museum, which we described and critically analyzed. We called it
The Samantha Gray Gallery and Museum