TRLN Management Academy: The Business of Libraries
The TRLN Management Academy was a unique experiential learning program that prepares current or new mid-level managers in academic libraries to operate with entrepreneurial and business acumen in the management of financial and human resources. The program was designed with input from library directors to support talent management and succession planning efforts by addressing gaps in the preparation of librarians for management roles.
Objectives
Program graduates:
- Understand core concepts and have resources for facilitating organizational culture change;
- Are able to differentiate strategic from tactical decision making and have practiced using alignment tools;
- Understand the principles of resources planning and allocation and the manager’s role in this process;
- Explore personal management strengths and expectations and develop a plan for cultivating new skills; and
- Have been exposed to and practiced a variety of skills that enhance the effectiveness of business and interpersonal communication.
Faculty
Academy instructors included business school faculty and university administrators. An experienced facilitator helped participants synthesize the array of management concepts and tools and translate them to the academic library context. Faculty used a multi-dimensional teaching approach involving introduction of business concepts, case studies, and hands-on practice with tools in the context of academic libraries, encouraging immediate incorporation of new skills.
Participants
The Academy was designed for supervisors or managers in academic libraries.
How to Participate
The most recent TRLN Management Academy took place from April 16 – 20, 2018, in Chapel Hill, NC. Visit the 2018 Academy website to get a sense of the typical application process, tuition, and agenda.
In 2019, instead of offering the TRLN Management Academy, TRLN hosted the Library Management Skills Institute I: The Manager, developed by DeEtta Jones and Associates. (In previous roles, Ms. Jones had been a key contributor to the development of the TRLN Management Academy.)