Fictional University

I am the leader of the information technology department at the main library of Fictional University. Fictional University is a fairly large state university of roughly 15,000 students, and is a school with a reputation for having excellent libraries. The group I manage handles various forms of technology work for the library, with services including systems administration, creation and maintenance of the library’s web site and internal databases, as well as managing instructional technology, GIS and digitization work. I am the manager, directly or indirectly, of about 30 people, with five of my employees overseeing other workers in some capacity. That includes one manager each for the systems, web site, databases, instructional technology sections, and a final manager who oversees both GIS and digital collections. My department is one of several at the library, and we serve a large community of students, faculty and staff, both on site and remotely, on a daily basis.

In order to fulfill its role as one of the nation’s premiere academic libraries, Fictional University has led the charge to integrate Web 2.0 technologies into its libraries. This includes the increasing use of social networking sites, blogs and online help to reach a wide spectrum of patrons. Following the shifting roles of modern libraries, our library has sought to draw in undergraduate students through a learning commons that integrates innovative architectural and technological design work to create a vibrant “third space” for the library. We have also recently become involved in cataloguing and hosting the University’s growing collection of instructional videos. Finally, we have sought to integrate new faceted browsing as a method for improving search results for patrons searching our collection.

Because we are involved in such a wide range of activities, and because technology is constantly offering new challenges and opportunities for our library, managing this group is never dull. I try to allow my employees to use their own judgment in performing their jobs when possible, and encourage their input for ways to improve our services. When possible I try to offer a flexible work environment and encourage open discussion about which technologies to use and best practices for our working environment.