Library Management of Information Organizations

Library Management of Information Organizations

Planning, in the context of a library is about systematic decision making anchored on library goals. Planning is integral in a library set up in that it helps in determining what, when, why, and how the existing library services and sources can be improved. Planning helps in finding out the solutions to the problems the library users contend with in their day-to-day use of a library facility (Dhawan, 2002). Planning should be done based on the needs of the customers and their satisfaction. The most important thing here is the user satisfaction. New plans can be adapted or the old ones redesigned to improve and to better service delivery to library customers. The plan that has been put in place has to be executed so that the expected standard result is achieved (Suresh, 2011). In the process of implementing the plan it is imperative that one decides when, where, and how the plan is to be executed (Suresh, 2011). This calls for flexible and time-based decision to have all types of solution for all types of problems. It is very important for one to critically look at the planning and execution phases. This determines whether the plan should be proceeded with or not. Careful analysis and thorough checking has to be done before the next step is initiated. This ensures that the output gives the highest and the best service to library users. The final phase in the planning process involves acting. After this it is now safe to proceed with the plan. Decision is normally made at this phase. Action is taken to implement the amendments that have been made. Analyze, determine, and implement the actions for the betterment and improvement of the library administration (Suresh, 2011).

Library management involves planning, organizing, leading, and controlling as its four key components. Much has been said about planning in the previous paragraph, perhaps it could be more prudent to delve into the aspects of organizing, leading, and controlling. Organizing involves assembling and coordinating human, financial, physical, informational, and other resources needed in attaining set out library goals (Dhawan, 2002). Leading is an aspect of human resource that encompasses the effort put by a librarian towards stimulating high performance by employees. Finally, controlling involves monitoring various library operations and services. Basically, library management should take into account three major elements namely: people, technology, and, resources where the human person plays the decisive role. For libraries to achieve sustainable development they must establish a people oriented management philosophy (Dhawan, 2002). Management of a library is a step-by-step approach that involves defining library policies for collection development; defining library authority and library advisory committee; defining procedure for library organization and administration; defining library space, equipment, and tools for library operations and services; and defining procedures for maintenance of library collections (Dhawan, 2002). A library's policy for collection development should define the objective of the library stating clearly the purpose of its existence; the collection development policy should also define the user community and their informational needs. This calls for deeper understanding of the library stakeholders. The services offered by the library should be tailored to the needs of the stakeholders. The stakeholders can be adult education teams, extension workers, adult education professionals, and even local community members. The library policy should also define building collections. The policy spells out the guiding principles and procedures under which the collection development activities occur (Dhawan, 2002). In this regard, the policy specifies subject areas of interest to library stakeholders, their language preferences, and formats of published or unpublished material. The library policy for collection development defines amongst other things different collections required to be developed and sustained and the book selection policy. The library authority and library advisory committee formulate policy for developing library resources for reading and general program of library services that suit the interests and requirements of different categories. The committee frames, reviews, and improves library rules (Dhawan, 2002). It also recommends suitable budgetary provisions for the library and resources center. Finally, the committee is charged with the responsibility of recommending for proper functioning of library as a premier knowledge center. Management also involves assembling, forming logical units of works, defining hierarchical structures, identifying staffing requirements, assigning tasks and responsibilities, and coordinating human, financial, physical, informational, and other resources needed to attain library goals (Dhawan, 2002). Finally, library management should help ensure that library material is preserved and reading materials are organized on shelves (Dhawan, 2002).

A library's action plan should take into account how materials are to be acquired and how negotiations regarding borrowing materials from other libraries. Selection of library material and stacks maintenance should also feature prominently into the management's action plan. Some of the basic function that the library's management should take into consideration is the proper collection of fee, membership management, and how they respond to challenges (Lock, 1961). The action plan should also take into consideration how events are approved and designed, and the aspects of fundraising. Other vital components of the action plan should be how to plan for the construction of new libraries, extension to existing ones, building maintenance, and updating of information books and new versions (Lock, 1961).