Emotional Intelligence and Critical Thinking for Library Leaders: (Fundamentals of Library Management)

Increasingly, more is being asked from library leaders and those who aspire to join their ranks. As the use of libraries changes, leaders need to improve their emotional intelligence and critical thinking in order to attract and retain users. Focused on practical management advice, this is an engaging discussion of how library leaders can grow in their role.   Detailing 25 emotional intelligence traits library leaders and others rely on most, expert author Gary L. Shaffer explores how critical thinking skills and emotional intelligence overlap, and how we can utilise them to improve. Looking across decision-making, problem-solving, critical writing, and creative thinking, Shaffer includes four case studies, each relating to both emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills. With real-world evidence and practical advice, the case studies show us how four library leaders used these traits and skills to tackle major real-world problems and issues. Finally, Shaffer suggests three leadership styles we can adopt to improve our emotional intelligence.   The first book in a new series of library leadership and management books, Emotional Intelligence and Critical Thinking for Library Leaders is a book of practical solutions based on academically sound research. For library and information science professionals and researchers, this is an unmissable book for those looking to the future of libraries.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1. Emotional Intelligence an Introduction Chapter 2. Self-Awareness  Chapter 3. Self-Management  Chapter 4. Social Awareness  Chapter 5. Relationship Management  Chapter 6. Traits and Practices of Emotional Intelligence Others (outside of libraries) Find Important  Chapter 7. Critical Thinking (an Introduction)  Chapter 8. Critical Decision-Making  Chapter 9. Critical Problem-Solving  Chapter 10. Writing Critically  Chapter 11. Creative Thinking  Chapter 12. In Closing  Appendices:  Appendix A. Case Studies  Appendix B. Kreitz’s 96 EI Traits  Appendix C. Elements of a Memo  Appendix D. Elements of an Executive Summary

About the Author :
Gary L. Shaffer, PhD, is director of Library, Arts and Culture in Glendale, California. He also teaches in the ALA-accredited Library and Information Management program at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. He is the former CEO of the Tulsa City-County Library, while at Tulsa he shepherded the $55 million dollar renovation of the Central Library project, a project which received a Library Building Award for representing the best in library architecture and design from the American Institute of Architects and ALA, along with other national awards.

Review :
'If you're going on a hike in the land of library management, the qualities, traits, and skills Shaffer identifies are precisely what you need in your backpack. An essential guide for both new and seasoned library leaders.'