Critical human resources are becoming more scarce and management needs to be more knowledgeable about people-related issues. However, many libraries do not have human resource specialists. This book relates the field of human resources to the library world in concept and in specific example.

Human resources are the people who work for the organization; human resource management is really employee management with an emphasis on those employees as assets of the business. In this context, employees are sometimes referred to as human capital. As with other business assets, the goal is to make effective use of employees, reducing risk and maximizing return on investment. Library "staff" refers to all the people employed by a particular library. Libraries have increasing become complex and dynamic organizations that need strategic thinking and more complex processes in order to compete in an environment challenged by technology and independent users. Academic libraries, because of their relationship with a centralized larger institution, can very well overlook the importance of developing their own strategic plans and initiatives for developing personnel and the human role of total operations and relevance to its mission and value added to institutional goals and objectives. Understanding how the human resource components of the organization adds to the dynamics of the library as a whole can offer a higher level of intelligent decision making for the road ahead. In every academic library employee, from the dean or director down to a student assistant, is subject to a number of complicated, confusing, and intertwined employment policies and procedures. Because of the complex interplay of these forces, human resources (HR) management and personnel transactions can seem mysterious or confusing.

In this book, first published in 1989, educators, library administrators, and human resources managers will find helpful insights into the vital role they can play in attracting pro-active people to the profession, changing current library structures and staffing patterns to meet emerging information needs, and developing existing staff to cope with conflicting demands. Contributors to this valuable new book also explore the human resources implications of the changing mission of libraries; the challenges faced by public services; the need to reallocate, reclassify, and retain existing staff; and the increasingly important role that human resources specialists play in libraries in transition.

This book provides a comprehensive look at issues that shape the nature of Human Resources in academic libraries. Libraries in varying academic environments have undergone tremendous change during the last two decades of the 20th century as they have sought redefinition as learning organizations. As organizations they have experienced significant changes in the role and definition of professionalism, along with challenges from such shifting workplace demographics as age and ethnicity and technological issues, which have also had direct impact on the recruitment and retention of staff. Much of the attention of human resources administrators in academic libraries has focused on an array of issues that mirrors concerns across campuses: affirmative action and diversity, the rights of employees with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the impact of the Family Medical Leave Act and other directives on employee benefits, salary equity, and a desire among employees for flexible work schedules.

This book explores recent trends in human resource management practices and presents options for their application within the special context of libraries, especially academic and research libraries. It lays out a set of the most pressing HR management issues facing senior library leaders in the context of continuous organisational change in the 21st century and offers library practitioners effective tips for people management. A practical ‘how-to’ book that provides realistic and proven solutions to real-world challenges Provides examples from organizations to highlight concepts and their applications Summary of key points at the end of each chapter, as well as specific tips in three areas: A – Attention (things to pay attention to); R – Results (initiatives that help to achieve desired results) and T – Techniques (ways to apply the concepts presented.

... "HRM is a strategic process having to do with the staffing, compensation, retention, training, and employment law and policies side of the business." -- Page 1.