Page 55 - DLIS003_LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

Library Administration and Management

Notes 3. An organization cannot function without the assistance of line and staff ……………..
4. Personnel functions for staff in special libraries, school libraries, and small academic
libraries may be carried out by the personnel offices of the ……………… organization.
5. In times of extreme financial constraint, the very survival of a library may be highly
dependent upon the quality of Personal …………………….
6. People involvement in ……………….. activities is increasing.
7. Out of three ‘M’s, …………….. is the most important factor that determines the quantity
and quality of the performance and output.

3.2 Human Relations in Personnel Administration

Human relations in administration simply mean accomplishing the goals of the organization
without friction. It presupposes knowledge of the goals and the needs of individuals belonging
to the group. In a library set-up the official responsible for accomplishing the goals of the
library revolves on the librarian and the personnel officer, if any. Usually in the Philippines
setting, the librarian is the personnel officer at the same time.

To administer a small library is easier task than a big one because there are fewer people to
know and deal with and there is more chance of knowing the people better in a small group.
However, in bigger libraries there are division chiefs and section heads that will help the
librarian in administration. On the choice, therefore, of these heads rests the success of the
function of coordination and cooperation.
An administrator who can be democratic and fair, and who can meet the emotional needs of his
staff will surely be a success. If he is democratic he will make rules in cooperation with the staff
and will treat them as equals (1). He will not be judgemental (2) in his relations but rather
helpful by seeing the other fellow’s point of view. He will open all channels of communication
freely. He will try to meet the emotional needs of his men by accepting each one as he really is;
knowing his problems and ambitions he can coordinate them with the goals of the library; he
provides affection by showing interest in everyone’s welfare; and lastly he provides room for
achievement. He sets a good example for them to follow.

As the leader of the organization the librarian sets the tone of the administration, whether it is
democratic or authoritarian. He may formulate democratic rules but in practice he might deviate
from them without his being aware of it. The littlest act, a word uttered at the wrong moment
may give him away. The staff can feel his sincerity and fairness in many little ways. No matter
how the best policies are written if the administrator deviates in his actions, the staff will always
take note. They are most sensitive to faults.

Did u know? The overall library administration is the responsibility of the Librarian, Asian
University of Bangladesh (AUB).

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
8. Usually in the Philippines setting, the …………….. is the personnel officer at the same
time.

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