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Library management is a sub-discipline of
institutional managementManagement in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
that focuses on specific issues faced by libraries. Library management encompasses normal management tasks as well as
intellectual freedomIntellectual freedom is the right to freedom of thought and of expression of thought. As defined by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is a human right. Article 19 states:...
,
anti-censorshipthumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
, and
fundraisingFundraising or fund raising is the process of soliciting and gathering voluntary contributions as money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies...
tasks. Issues faced in library management frequently overlap those faced in management of
non-profit organizationNonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
s.
Basic issues
Basic tasks in library management include:
- planning the acquisition of materials
- Negotiating borrowing materials from other libraries
- selection of library materials
- stacks maintenance
- Fee collection
- Membership management
- Responding to challenges
The American Library Association defines a challenge to literature as an attempt by a person or group of people to have materials, such as books, removed from a library or school curriculum, or otherwise restricted. Merely objecting to material is not a challenge without the attempt to remove or...
- Approving and designing events
- Fundraising
- Budget management
Long-term issues
Long-term issues include:
- planning of the deconstruction of new libraries
- extensions to existing ones
- building maintenance
Associations
The Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA), a division of the American Library Association, provides leaders with webinar, conferences, awards and grants, Library Leadership & Management Online Quarterly Magazine, and books. LLAMA membership includes a free subscription to Library Leadership & Management and discounts on conferences and publications
External links