Journal of Library Administration, 55:60–68, 2015
Published with license by Taylor & Francis
ISSN: 0193-0826 print / 1540-3564 online
DOI: 10.1080/01930826.2014.985902
It Takes a Community
KIM LEEDER REED, Column Editor
Director of Library Services, College of Western Idaho, Nampa, ID, USA
Column Editor’s Note. Community college libraries are deeply
underrepresented in the professional literature and organizations
of academic librarianship. As a result, the challenges and successes
that take place in the community college world are largely invisible
to others. This JLA column lifts the curtain to reveal the uniqueness
of community college libraries as described by their most passionate
advocates: the librarians who work there. Articles in this column
pay tribute to the commitment and creativity of community col-
lege librarians by providing a platform where they can share their
professional and personal stories. Want to write for this column?
Interested authors are invited to submit articles to the editor at
kimleeder@cwidaho.cc.
YOUNG AND IN CHARGE: EARLY-CAREER COMMUNITY
COLLEGE LIBRARY LEADERSHIP
PEARL LY
Director, Library Services, College of Marin, Kentfield, CA, USA
ABSTRACT. Although young leaders and entrepreneurs have
become prevalent in the business and technology industries,
academic libraries remain much more traditional. Library ad-
ministrator job advertisements often require seven to ten years
of library experience in progressively responsible roles as well as
supervisory experience. This article shares the experiences of an
early-career community college library administrator working with
different generations, provides suggestions to become a manager
through intentional leadership, and explores how managers learn
to lead. Additionally, the author encourages community colleges
to consider younger and/or newer librarians that bring a different
© Pearl Ly
Address correspondence to Dr. Pearl Ly, Director of Library Services. College of Marin,
835 College Avenue, Kentfield, CA 94118, USA. E-mail: pearl.ly@marin.edu
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