(via Jane Hammons, The Ohio State University)
Registration is open for the ACRL ULS (University Libraries Section) Professional Development Committee webinar “Living in the Middle: Critical Reflections On Identity, Power, and Practice In Academic Librarianship”. It will take place on Wednesday, March 18, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM CDT. Please see below for more information, including the link to registration.
Mid-career and middle management librarians occupy one of the most complex and least examined roles in academic libraries. They are expected to lead from the middle and manage both up and down, often in positions where they lack authority. For those that want to lead, what paths do they have to move forward? For those not interested in management but want to advance professionally, what opportunities are available for personal growth? This workshop seeks to define the middle, no matter which side of the equation we are in, we are all leaders and program developers, even when not in positions of formal leadership.
This reflective panel seeks to bring together librarians from multiple stages and organizational contexts to explore power dynamics, politics, and perceptions of the ‘middle’. Drawing on Critical Management Studies and personal experience, panelists will discuss how institutional hierarchies, unclear rhetoric and cultural expectations help to shape their professional identity, feelings of belonging, and motivation. Woven into the panel discussion will be reflective discussion prompts to discuss our experiences with mid-career librarianship, and how we align with different pathways: management of people, resources, or facilities; new frontiers of research and scholarship; launching conferences and community impact programming. The speakers will propose solutions and seek feedback from our peers as we believe we need to collectively build the resources we want to experience.
For additional information, including a list of moderators and presenters, and to register, please go here. If you can’t make this session but wish to view a recording later, please register so that you’ll receive an e-mail that includes a link to the video of the presentation.
Please direct questions and concerns to Jane Hammons (hammons.73@osu.edu), Co-Chair of the ACRL ULS Professional Development Committee. A full list of the committee’s past programs is available on the ULS website.