Honest talk about finance in director recruitment

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an overview on how important funding is to what can be accomplished by a library director, and how it impacts library management decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Using eight financial areas common to all libraries, the importance of adequate funding is presented in the paper and the consequences of different funding levels are examined.

Findings

The paper finds that no matter how innovative or progressive a library director may want to be, libraries that are not on solid financial ground will not remain relevant in the future. A library director needs to know the level of funding, where the funds are coming from, and level of continued support they can expect if they are to manage effectively.

Originality/value

Great leadership cannot solve an institution's numerous problems when lack of operating revenue is the heart of the issue. Because of this, discussions about the financial health of a library are important when considering to become a library's new director.

Citation

Holt, G.E. (2006), "Honest talk about finance in director recruitment", The Bottom Line, Vol. 19 No. 2, pp. 78-83. https://doi.org/10.1108/08880450610663618