Exemplary public library branch managers: their characteristics and effectiveness

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to revisit a study that identifies the characteristics that contribute to perceptions by local politicians, library board members, library leaders and colleagues of what makes a public library branch manager “exemplary”.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is an in‐depth study that draws upon a survey questionnaire and 120 interviews with multiple stakeholders, supervisors, peers and branch managers from two large public library systems in the Greater Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada) area and peer members of the Ontario (Canada) Library Association. Branch managers also completed the Myers‐Briggs Type Indicator assessment instrument for personality type and temperament profiling.FindingsSurvey results collectively described the exemplary branch manager as a flexible individual with best‐practice management know‐how and the emotional intelligence needed to motivate and bring others along. The exemplary branch manager has a strong tendency toward extraverted behaviors.Practical implicationsKnowledge can be leveraged to improve graduate school curriculum, career planning, recruitment, and staff training and development to enhance the effectiveness of public library branch managers as perceived by community and library leaders.Originality/valueThe paper provides perceptual, behavioral and psychometric evidence that incorporates perspectives of community leaders, colleagues and staff needed to identify core competencies for public library branch managers.