Case Study- Home Away from Home

Today I read the case study, Home Away from Home. I really like the idea of case studies. I think it is interesting to think of ways to come up with a solution. Anyway, in the article there is a public library patrons that drops her kid off in the children's section and plants herself at a computer for the majority of the day. The staff is annoyed by the child acting out, and other patrons not getting time on the computer because she is hogging it. The article ends by saying maybe it is time to consider changing our policy. I definitely think it is time to change their policy. First and most importantly, they should create a child policy. Children left unattended could very easily create a liability for the library. Not only that but since it is a public place children should not be left unattended for their own safety. Also, there should be a time limit and session log for computer use. After her allowed session Mrs. Kittner should have to sign up for a new session. If there is no one waiting she can get back on right away, but if there is a line she will have to get at the back of the line and wait her turn. This is only fair and it is the best way to accommodate all patrons. Mrs. Kittner is in a sticky situation and since the librarians know of her hard time they should do everything the can to help her. I think the library should think about investing in laptops. Today they are fairly inexpensive so they could get a few. This would also help solve the problem of her unattended child. She could check out a laptop and then sit with him in the children's section while still having access to a computer. Also laptops that must be checked out by an adult would keep children for messing around on them and potentially damaging them.

Compassionate Confrontation

On Monday I read the Compassionate Confrontation. I blogged about it but the network was down so I am blogging about it again. I really liked this article and got a lot out of it. I like that the article tries to diminish the negative connotation that goes along with confrontation. The article says "no one is worthy of you giving up your integrity." This really made an impression on me. Sometimes I tend to be passive because I want people to like me or because I may be intimidated by them. I shouldn't be that way. I am going to work on doing what is right, even if it may step on some toes. Whether it is reminding students to do their tasks or keeping someone from stealing, as a supervisor it is my job to do the right thing and confront people when necessary. I also like that they article talks about your ability to confront being directly linked with peoples ability to trust you. I think when student workers know that you will take care of things and when their is consistency, they will trust you. The article also talks about knowing when or when not to confront someone. Sometimes you should know when to pick your battles. The article says "it requires wisdom to know when to let the person struggle and when to offer constructive suggestions." I think the most important part of this article is maintaining the personal aspect of confrontation. Be "compassionate". Treat them fairly, and if confrontation is required...do it with integrity.

How to get the feedback you didnt want to hear (but really need to know)

Today I read one of the articles in our packet about getting feedback. I really like the concept of getting feedback. Personally, I feel motivated by feedback. I like knowing when I am doing well, and I also like knowing when I may be lacking in some area so that I can fix it. I think some kind of feedback process at the library, other than just evaluations, would be really helpful. I would like to know what things the student workers may be seeing that I need to change, or things they may appreciate. One thing the article said that I really took to heart was taking good care of the feedback you are given. Not getting offended, taking time to reflect, and working diligently to improve or keep up the good work, are very important aspects of the feedback process. I think a successful work place requires some type of feedback. I think it is beneficial to know how you are doing as a worker, supervisor, or president for that matter. I would like to see us all work a little harder to develop some type of feedback system. Even if it is just an anonymous review like we do for professors. As long as it is done in a mature and helpful way I think it could really benefit the supervisors.

Management vs. Leadership -Jim Clemmer

Today I read the article Management vs. Leadership. One point the article really stresses is how management and leadership go hand in hand. One with out the other causes problems. I think this is true in work settings. The more I think about it, I think that people need both of these and sometimes depending on the person, they may need more of one than the other. The article also talks about the need for technology in most operations. At the library the use of technology is a huge part to our operation. If we have good systems, good management and inspiring leadership the library will run like a dream. I like the thought that all work together. One thing the article points out is that most managers use written communication while leaders use verbal communication. I think a lot of times in a business the communication aspect is lacking because clear leadership is lacking. As a leader I want to inspire people to want to do their best. One thing I struggle with is knowing HOW to do that. I know the difference between management and leadership, but I still am not sure how to be a good leader. It sounds to me that if you are a good leader the management part just falls into place. If people want to work hard and do things correctly then the management part takes care of its self. The article closed with a great line, "If you want to manage someone, manage yourself. Once you master that, you'll be a much more effective leader of others." I think this is great. I want to be a great leader. Keeping myself if check will get me closer to that goal.

Perception and Reliability

After thinking about how the student workers perceive me, I have decided that I may take a too laid back approach to supervising. I started out at the library working under Kate a lot. I think that in an attempt to not over-do it like she sometimes did, I under-do it a little. I try to make myself approachable to student workers. I think that is a good thing but sometimes they might not take the job as seriously as they should because I am so laid back with them. I am going to work on focusing more on tasks and having a proactive eye when it comes to operations. I think it is important to establish a relationship with student workers but I want them to see me working hard so that they in turn work hard.

Leadership vs. Management: What's the Difference?

Today I read the article comparing Leadership and Management. One thing I took away from the article is the need for both managers and leaders in any kind of work setting. I personally think managers sometimes lose the personal aspect of working with others. Many times managers are task oriented and they do not inspire those working under them to want to achieve more. One of the sections says that leaders are "Salespeople". I have never thought of leadership in that way, but it is true. A good leader really sales the idea of progress. A good leader inspires people to buy into their ideas. The article also mentions that managers are controllers. "Controllers" has a negative connotation with it but if you continue reading the article says, " A Manager never loses focus of monitoring results, trends, and resources, striving always to meet or exceed professional goals". As a student supervisor I think it is important that we are controllers. We should have control of the situation and always be observant of things around us that are changing in order to meet the needs of patrons. I really like the section that says leaders are visionaries. It talks about leaders anticipating the future. A leader maintains a current knowledge of how things are, but always looks to the future and has in mind what changes may be best for the organization. I think this is important for us as student supervisors. We need to be aware of everything going on around us, but also be looking forward, thinking of things that might improve the library and how we operate. I think this article is pretty helpful. I think it is important for me to strive to have the characteristics of both a Leader and a Manager because I think the library needs both.