Managing the One-Person Library

Larry Cooperman is an adjunct faculty librarian at the University of Central Florida, specializing in online reference research for undergraduates, graduates, and faculty. He received his M.S. in Library and Information Science from Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) in 2002, and has 10 years’ experience managing solo libraries, primarily in the academic field at the baccalaureate and associates degree level. He volunteers approximately twelve hours per month as an online reference librarian on the State of Florida’s Ask-a-Librarian, and serves as one of five state-wide mentors for new librarian participants on Ask-a-Librarian. He has taught his online course, Managing the One-Person Library, for Simmons GSLIS since 2009. He also writes book and Internet reviews for School Library Journal, Reference & User Services Quarterly, and College & Research Library News. He received the 2009-2010 Everglades University Librarian of the Year Award and the Outstanding Achievement Award for Book Reviews from the Reference and Users Association of the American Library Association.

• DedicationAbout the authorPreface1: Who is a one-person, or solo, librarian? And how do they manage to do what they do? Abstract Time management Organizational management strategies Change management strategies Stress management People management Case studies To summarize 2: Marketing your library Abstract Resources and strategies Case studies To summarize 3: Professional development Abstract Meetings and networking Webinars and podcasts Social media and networking Writing Teaching Case studies To summarize 4: Collection development Abstract How does a solo librarian learn collection development skills? What constitute good collection development skills? What materials do solo librarians include in their collection development? Tips and techniques on purchasing items at a lower cost Case studies To summarize 5: IT resources, troubleshooting, internet security, and library security Abstract IT resources and troubleshooting Internet security Library security Case studies To summarize 6: Cataloging and serials management Abstract Cataloging Serials management Case studies To summarize 7: Staffing the one-person library Abstract Staffing strategies for solo librarians Training staff Assessing staff To summarize 8: Final thoughts on solo librarianship and the future of solo librarians Abstract Useful websitesIndex