Page 47 - DLIS003_LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

Library Administration and Management

Notes
Questions
1. Explain the needs administrative, financial, and technological restructuring of the
University’s Library System.
2. What challenges does the decentralized library system face?
Source: http://harvardmagazine.com/2009/11/harvard-library-system-faces-restructuring

2.8 Summary

The exercise of authority is a constant and pervasive phenomenon in the human society.
Human society maintains itself because of ‘order’ and it is the authority that serves as the
foundation of social order.

Authority is the right given to a superior to achieve the objectives of the library.
Power is a broader concept than authority. Power is the ability of a person or a group to
influence the beliefs and actions of other people. It is the ability to influence events.

The library is a miniature social system that can prepare the young to shoulder
responsibilities and help them to step into their adult roles.

Line authority pertains to matters directly involving management system production,
sales, finance etc., and as a result with the attainment of objectives.
Staff authority enables those responsible for improving the effectiveness of line personnel
to perform their required tasks.

Delegation of authority is one vital organizational process. The process of allocation of
office work among the subordinates is called delegation of authority.

The library governance refers to the persons (or committees or departments etc.) who
make up a body for the purpose of administering the library. The authority has the power
or right to give orders or make decisions in the library.
In a large Organisation, the process of centralisation and decentralisation co-exist and
reinforce each other. Decentralisation is just opposite to centralization. Centralisation and
decentralisation are mutually dependent.

2.9 Keywords

Authority: Authority is the power to manage the sub-ordinates to control them and to instruct
them according to the rules norms and standards of the organization. Authority of managers
helps to keep the sub-ordinates in obedience.
Centralization: Centralization is a situation in which decision-making power is at the top of an
organization and there is little delegation of authority.
Decentralization: Decentralization refers to the systematic effort to delegate to the lowest levels
all authority except that which can only be exercised at central point.
Delegation of Authority: Delegation of Authority means entrusting someone else to do parts of
your job.
Delegation: Delegation means assigning of certain responsibilities along with the necessary
authority by a superior to his subordinate managers.

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