General Library Management

Building on the discussion of mission statements, goals, and objectives in Chapter 3, this chapter begins with long and short range planning. It is not enough to complete the basic organizational documents only to shove them into a filing cabinet and forget they exist. Used properly, these documents can help keep library activities, staff, administration, and governing authorities on track and within the library's resources. Planning activities can also have an impact on the political climate in which the library exists. Political realities are addressed throughout this chapter as it discusses funding methods and issues, the budget process, and the purpose of written policies and procedures. Because much of this information is generic to all library types, the authors have tried to keep the discussion and examples specific to the public law library's peculiarities.