ZONAINA A.

SAMPAYAN MLIS-2 November 7, 2022

MLIS 315: Leadership & Management for Library & Information Centers

Title of Article: Planning a Library Leadership Retreat on the Cheap: Case Study and Analysis

Author’s Views:

An old baseball expression that implies to predict where the ball will travel so that the
hitter can get a hit is "staying ahead of the pitch." However, in an area as expansive and
difficult as information sciences, thinking and contemplation are frequently essential to
effective planning. Since running a library on a day-to-day basis is already a full-time job,
actual leadership and planning frequently require a real vacation from work and regular
routines.

As a result, a planning retreat requires work to be done before, during, and after the
retreat. The planning process may focus for a few days during a relaxing vacation, but the task
of preparing is ongoing, and it needs ongoing support. Good planning does not require highly
compensated consultants, but it definitely requires a knowledgeable team that functions
effectively together. Sticking to a plan can help an organization advance significantly, and if a
retreat can be held affordably, amazing results may result.

Argument on Methodology Used:

This article used a case study research wherein it made an intensive study about the
planning a library leadership retreat in University of Oklahoma-Tulsa Schusterman Library.
Based on study the librarians’ assessment figures from the 2013/14 school year compared with
the 2014/15 school year showed a significant drop in all areas: instruction has decreased by one-
quarter, reference statistics by one-sixth, and the overall gate count has dropped from 43K to
37K, a decrease of nearly 15% in just one year. And the library director and the associate
director are very concerned about it and so they organize a library planning retreat.

Since 2011, the Schusterman Library has committed to holding a yearly staff retreat,
typically focused on a particular theme that would be advantageous to all personnel. The first
retreat, which took place in the summer of 2012, was an all-day examination of the library's
history, its offerings, and the organization's financial prospects. The second all-staff retreat in
2013 had a customer service theme and culminated with a list of about a dozen adjustments
that would be quickly implemented to address service gaps.

It mostly addressed issues with the library's two service points, as well as looking at
additional services that might be offered and creating a list of fundamental tasks for all section
librarians.

Event planning, library advisory planning, marketing and promotion planning, and
assessment were among the outcomes from that purpose. According to each team member's
specific tasks and job descriptions, a team leader was chosen for each outcome. Then, team
 leaders got ready individually and collectively by engaging in advance planning, open
dialogue, reflection, and action items.

Additionally, this study enabled good results that will serve as a helpful resource for
readers and other researchers. However, this paper was unable to demonstrate the research
methods, statistical tools, or other techniques used to carry out this investigation. The case study,
however, provides a condensed account of both days' events so that readers can more clearly
comprehend how the retreat was put together.

Your Judgement as to Value of the article:

This paper focused on planning, staff development, leadership, library administration,

and user demands. It was clear and concise throughout. This article did the library and librarians'
jobs well in terms of what they should do to meet patron needs.

Implications or Applications to Management of Library:

The retreat is appropriate for today's libraries because it enables librarians to treat
themselves to the luxury of in-depth reflection, friendship, and careful preparation in settings
that support such work. As a result, user satisfaction is increased. The teamwork, size, shared
costs, consultants, and continuity should all be taken into account while planning a library
leadership retreat.

Reference:

Brower, S. (2016). Planning a library leadership retreat on the cheap: case study and
analysis. Administrative Issues Journal: Connecting Education, Practice, and
Research, v6 n2 p5-12 Win 2016. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1137532.pdf