Cardinal rules for those entrusted with leading knowledge citizenship

Melanie Sutton

doi:10.4102/sajim.v8i2.657

Abstract

In 1909, Sam Walter Foss, a librarian at the Somerville Public Library in Massachusetts, wrote a paper entitled 'Some cardinal principals of librarian's work'. Interestingly, Foss emphasized and encouraged the role of the librarian to be a fundamentally social and people-oriented character as opposed to a shy and retiring 'book lover'. This is relevant because, even in 1909, Foss recognized that a people orientation was the fundamental ingredient of a leader in an intellectual or knowledge type environment.

Highlights

In 1909, Sam Walter Foss, a librarian at the Somerville Public Library in Massachusetts, wrote a paper entitled 'Some cardinal principals of librarian's work'
Most profile experts agree that a knowledge leader must possess the following traits: ambition to succeed, expressiveness; responsiveness, the ability to take immediate, appropriate action; leadership; be articulate ; appreciate others' efforts; social skills; dependability; have a strong work ethic and a vision of future growth
Brewerton (1999) states: 'We still get some people in interviews saying that they want to work in libraries because they like reading books

Summary

Introduction

In 1909, Sam Walter Foss, a librarian at the Somerville Public Library in Massachusetts, wrote a paper entitled 'Some cardinal principals of librarian's work'. Most profile experts agree that a knowledge leader must possess the following traits: ambition to succeed, expressiveness; responsiveness , the ability to take immediate, appropriate action; leadership; be articulate ; appreciate others' efforts; social skills; dependability; have a strong work ethic and a vision of future growth. Liebowitz (2002), believes that the following competencies make a successful knowledge leader: an avid communicator or storyteller, a strategic thinker, comfortable in the use of tools and technology, credible personal behaviour, personal knowledge and cognitive capability, and leadership and management.

Results

Conclusion