I. Foundations of Kansas Library Service

A library director should be able to:

1. Demonstrate the value of the public library in our society
2. Effectively coordinate the relationship between a library and its community
3. Understand and apply the relevance of the Library Bill of Rights to library service
4. Uphold the customer's right to privacy
5. Demonstrate the ability to provide equal customer service to all patrons
6. Defend the right of people for access to information
7. Expand services for culturally diverse populations
8. Promote intellectual freedom and demonstrate support of intellectual freedom in libraries
9. Articulate the values and ethics of public librarianship
10. Explain the principles of information literacy and the role those principles play in public library service

1. Understand the role and function of local, regional, state government agencies
2. Comply with Kansas statutes and federal laws that pertain to Kansas libraries and be aware of Kansas statutes and federal laws that are not specific to libraries but which may impact them
3. Apply state standards to public library strategic planning
4. Conduct or organize a Trustee Orientation Program for every new library board member
5. Inform the library board about their responsibilities and motivate trustees to:
   1. Maintain open communication and encourage self evaluation of the board
   2. Demonstrate knowledge and practice of basic trustee training
   3. Define the roles and responsibilities of the librarian and the board
   4. Understand legal requirements and promote standard procedures for conducting board meetings
   5. Be vocal advocates for the library

1. Use professional resources and a variety of training programs to keep current with library trends and issues
2. Articulate the impact of current and emerging technology on library services
3. Be aware of the ongoing roles of state, regional and national organizations

II. Public Library Administration

A public library director is able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the mission and role of the library in the community
2. Develop leadership skills to provide vision and guidance to library staff and the community
3. Train the staff to offer excellent customer service to all library users
4. Utilize decision making and problem solving techniques
5. Develop the ability to conduct effective meetings

1. Develop a working policies and procedures that reflects the organizationÕs mission statement
2. Monitor state and federal law making that might affect the organizationÕs policies
3. Be aware of liability and legal issues pertaining to physical facilities, personnel, finances and public services.
4. Collaborate with local libraries, regional library systems and the State Library to develop and update effective policies

1. Effectively recruit, train and supervise staff, paid and volunteer.
2. Comply with applicable laws dealing with employment and personnel practices.
3. Utilize interpersonal and communication skills to effectively supervise staff.
4. Require participation in staff development opportunities

1. Periodically inspect the facilities and address safety and maintenance issues.
2. Plan for future building needs

1. Understand budget laws of the State of Kansas and work effectively with local government to create and implement the budget
2. Build additional financial resources through fundraising and grant seeking programs
3. Understand and monitor progress of contracts for library materials and services
4. Use generally accepted accounting practices

1. Implement any systems necessary to manage library data and generate reports necessary for accurate and accessible record-keeping
2. Evaluate services based on library data and any appropriate surveying methods

III. Public Services

The library director will be able to:

1. Implement and explain day-to-day library policies and procedures in areas such as circulation, interlibrary loan, reference, and internet access.
2. Explain the application of library laws and library ethics in providing services to the public
3. Establish a welcoming environment that encourages active use of library services by the public with convenient public services, effective study areas, natural traffic flow and excellent signage
4. Perform library operations including circulation, reference, interlibrary loan, reserves, registration of borrowers, collection management, computer maintenance and management and inventory control
5. Communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and develop programs and services for all ethnic, cultural, social, age cohorts and other diverse groups in the community
6. Deal with confrontational and emergency situations

1. Apply basic concepts of organizing library materials and controlling library inventory to provide convenient access to the public
2. Assist and advise library users in the selection of resources in a variety of formats, genres and subject areas, at an appropriate reading level, without making assumptions about age, race, gender, ethnicity or economic status
3. Conduct effective reference interviews and pursue competent search strategies to meet library users' needs for information

IV. Library Materials and Collections

A library director is able to:

1. Develop policies and procedures for selecting, acquiring and maintaining library resources, including books, periodicals, video, DVD, CD, audio formats and electronic information
2. Be aware of civil rights and laws pertaining to libraries such as the First Amendment and Copyright

1. Meet the needs of the community when selecting materials and maintaining library collections
2. Use reliable reviews to aid in the evaluation of all material before selecting materials
3. Be familiar with appropriate publishers, vendors and local sources that libraries use to purchase materials
4. Review data, including circulation statistics and requests, on a regular basis to help determine the allotment of funds for all formats and subject areas
5. Select materials in various formats for appropriate ages, developmental stages and interests
6. Follow trends in library resources to be aware of new formats that become available

1. Use various assessments, including usage, turn around, surveys and weeding techniques to maintain a vital, current and attractive collection
2. Showcase library resources with special displays based on subject or special interest
3. Establish procedures to evaluate materials already in the collection for retention, replacement, rebinding, weeding and duplication
4. Establish procedures to eliminate weeded materials from library records
5. Perform basic, simple repair of materials in various formats
6. Perform preservation and conservation of historic materials as needed

V. Marketing and Advocacy

A library director should be able to:

1. Promote the libraryÕs values, services, accomplishments and needs to library users, community leaders, target audiences and funding authorities
2. Create a welcoming, effective and user-friendly library environment to encourage use of the library and support for the library in the community
3. Develop effective communications, interpersonal relationships and customer service skills to work with staff, trustees, volunteers and library users

1. Develop, implement and evaluate an ongoing marketing plan for the library and library services
2. Conduct an annual or biennial review of the library and the community to determine library services that can effectively serve identified target audiences
3. Market the libraryÕs services and accomplishments through appropriate use of local media, self-publishing, public speaking, website development and library programs, partnering with community members who have special talents to share
4. Sponsor appropriate library programs for all ages that offer information, special skills or entertainment

1. Market the libraryÕs needs and accomplishments to public officials and community leaders
2. Leverage community support, including trustees and library groups, to influence public officials and decision makers to build support for public libraries at the local, state and national level

VI. Technical Services

A library director should be able to:

1. Establish procedures for ordering, receiving orders, resolving problems and accounting for expenditures for library materials
2. Establish procedures for handling all library resources and making them available to library users as soon as possible

1. Understand the purpose and importance of the catalog, the relationship between the catalog and the collection, and the relationship between the catalog record and the library customerÕs access to the collection
2. Understand the standard manual and automated methods used in the organization of collections
3. Be able to read MARC records and determine accuracy of records before accepting cataloging
4. Understand the Dewey Decimal System and be able to select appropriate call numbers for accurate identification of material
5. Understand the concept of Subject Headings and be able to assign appropriate subject headings to materials.
6. Identify and use sources of cataloging information such as the KLC or Library of Congress and other sites from which to download MARC records for copy cataloging
7. Understand the significance of Authority Control to the accessibility of the collection

1. Apply appropriate methods and techniques for physical preparation of materials in various formats
2. Understand the use of technology that will facilitate patron access to material
3. Understand the need for consistency in processing materials
4. Understand the marketing value of proper preparation of book jackets and paperbacks

1. Understand serials vendors and discounted purchasing opportunities
2. Understand manual or automated tracking methods to ensure accurate receipt of subscriptions
3. Understand the claims process for materials that are not received

1. Know how to treat damaged materials in a timely fashion to prevent loss
2. Recognize conditions in the library that might lead to loss of library materials from environmental conditions
3. Be able to use basic techniques for repair and mending of all library resources including books, serials, tapes, CDs and DVDs

VII. Technology

A library director is able to:

1. Have a basic understanding of technology terminology
2. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of computer hardware and common software
3. Operate and perform basic troubleshooting for photocopiers, telephones, and fax machines.

1. Be able to identify and locate network equipment and resources
2. Use good backup strategies
3. Know how to contact the Internet Service Provider

1. Isolate, identify, and articulate problems with hardware, software, and networks
2. Locate and use manuals, FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions), and know where to get help or technical support
3. Keep software updated

1. Know how to use security software tools
2. Maintain secure passwords and have a password management system
3. Be aware of the potential security and privacy threats while using e-mail and the Internet
4. Articulate privacy and intellectual property issues that relate to library technology, including filtering software

1. Know the value and purpose of a library having an automated card catalog
2. Operate the various modules of the libraryÕs automation system (OPAC, circulation, cataloging, etc.)
3. Design and/or use reports from the automated system for management of library operations
4. Ensure that the automation system is updated, has a current backup, and is evaluated regularly
5. Understand the budget process for automation

1. Know basic web search methods and how to evaluate search results
2. Know the importance of having a web presence and how to keep the library web site updated
3. Use digital communication tools such as email and electronic discussion lists effectively
4. Know how to use the available online resources
5. Participate in digital distance learning opportunities

1. Be able to teach patrons basic computer, Internet and library equipment use
2. Teach patrons how to access KS online resources
3. Teach patrons how to utilize the automated card catalog

1. Develop and maintain a library technology plan including a computer replacement plan
2. Create, evaluate and implement library policies for computer, Internet, wireless usage, and technology disaster
3. Have knowledge of e-rate and other technology discount programs

1. Use web conferencing software
2. Utilize local, regional, state and national resources to keep apprised of new and emerging technologies and how they impact libraries.