Librarianship Beyond the Textbook

A Practical Guide for Real-World Challenges

Nay Keppler

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited
• Year: 2026
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9798881801779
• Topic: Languages & Linguistics
• Subtopic: Library & Information Science
• Index: Languages & Linguistics

Some situations cannot be taught in library school. With a DEI focus, this book helps library leaders, both formal and informal, with those unexpected challenges.

Library and Information Undergraduate and Graduate Programs do an incredible job examining important methodology of librarianship today. However, any library school graduate will at multiple points in their career declare, "Well they didn't teach me this in library school!" Whether it was taught or not, libraries are a multifaceted, constantly changing landscape. Public, academic, school, and special libraries of all sizes each have their own unique needs, but there are certain skills, techniques, and mindsets that benefit all library staff.

Librarianship Beyond the Textbook is different from others on the market in that it addresses topics that aren't automatically or often associated with librarianship - topics that are otherwise overlooked, but are nonetheless inevitable, capturing those "Finally, some help with this!" moments - moments of both recognition and assistance. The goal of the book is to not only allow the reader to feel heard, but to address evergreen and overlooked topics.

Each chapter features leaders in the library field and beyond sharing their knowledge, advice, and lessons learned. Explore topics like library maintenance, career development, self-care, finance and budgeting, safety and security, and more from a friendly and easy-to-digest perspective. Whether you're in a position of formal library management or just looking for tools to improve your confidence in the field, this book will provide support where you need it most!

Table of contents

• Cover
• Halftitle Page
• Title Page
• Contents
• Introduction
• 1 Historical Context and Legacy of Libraries and Racial Equity
• 2 The Simple and Courageous Pursuit of Growth
• 3 Library Safety and Security
• 4 Beyond the Bookshelves: The Facilities Management Impact
• 5 Project Management Basics
• 6 Running Effective Meetings
• 7 Burnout and Psychological Safety: Intertwined Challenges in Library Management
• 8 Advocacy Skills to Enhance Library Support
• 9 Interpersonal Skills and Office Politics: Building and Maintaining Positive Relationships with Colleagues
• 10 Beyond the Balance Sheet: Budgeting and Development Insights for Emerging Library Leaders
• 11 From Navigators to Futurists: Librarians as Technology Leaders
• 12 Managing Community Partnerships
• 13 Supporting Marginalized Groups in Libraries: Questions, Reflections, and Future Directions
• Index
• About the Editor
• About the Contributors