Project: Qualifications of Academic Library Deans

(Back to Summer 2009 project)

Ideas from Discussion

Here are some ideas, borne out of discussing this research project with Baaska and Storm:

• call about 75-ish (maybe as low as 40) deans and have informal conversation about our study, their suggestions for an effective survey, what to ask, etc.
  • basically perform it as a qualitative study, a pilot for the larger study
  • talking to the deans ahead of time gets their input as to what would be useful to know
  • also creates their buy-in to participate in the broader study, and if they mention it to other deans, may encourage more participation
• after calls are completed, write up the study and present at a conference where academic library deans are likely to attend
  • this will attract more attention toward wider participation in the broader study
• (maybe publish an article based on it, after the presentation)
• create the survey instrument and email it to all ARL deans
• create follow-up presentation/article

I think our next steps, then,are:

• finish the literature review portion (I still need to do more reading from your list, I'm very behind on this)
• outline some rough guidelines for coversing with the deans (specific topics or questions, directions for discussion)
• identify the smaller subset of deans, and divide them between us
• get contact information and call those deans
• compile notes from those coversations and discuss them together
  • begin to shape the survey instrument
  • write up results of this qualitative pilot study and submit to conference

The Topic

• examine the educational background of academic library deans
  • PhD or other degree?
    • would it be easier to gather this info through a survey or by pulling profiles of a cross section of directors?
  • what is the discipline/major of the PhD (or other degree)?
  • is their library ARL or not?
  • private or public institution?
  • 2yr, 4yr, or PhD-granting institution?
  • dean's gender?
  • do they have experience as a librarian, as department head (academic or library), in management, in higher ed., as faculty?
  • years of experience as academic library dean?
  • probably can't track salary of those at private institutions, but maybe ask a question about salary ranges...?
• what effect does their education and background have...
  • on their libraries? (ability to lead, demonstrable library outcomes, etc.)
  • on their salary?
• OR simply study the PhD/other and discipline of the PhD, as a guide to what qualifications are considered when academic library deans are hired
• could even open it past educational background to experience level, type of libraries, etc... future research areas?

Research Steps

Literature Review & Research

• break down tasks and divide the research
• search for papers, articles, books, etc.
  • Refworks folder of lit review: http://www.refworks.com/refshare?site=041991167292800000/RWWS4A923686/Dean%20Credentials
  • More sources
    • The Academic Library Director : Reflections on a Position in Transition

Edited by Frank D'Andraia, MLS

Hard Cover ISBN: 978-0-7890-0320-3 Reinventing Our Work: New and Emerging Roles for Academic Librarians

Page Range: 157 - 172 DOI: 10.1080/01930820802231351

Out of the Gray Times: Leading Libraries into the Digital Future

Page Range: 235 - 248 DOI: 10.1080/01930820802231518

• search organizations and statistics (ACRL, NCES)

Develop or Find Measurement Tool

• determine best method for collecting data
  • develop tool, if necessary
• approach IRB about the research

Collect Data

• apply measurement tool and gather data
• thoughts on this...
  • if we want to "collect" sample data to test possible statistical analyses, we could look at dean CVs on library websites to get really accurate "dummy" data (but I don't think this is a viable formal collection technique--just useful for pilot testing)
  • my concern with sending surveys is the generally low response rate, as well as the large potential number of people to survey. a few potential helps:
    • limit the study to ARL libraries now, and if the study goes well and there is interest, expand it for a second research project to other libraries (at which point, if the study is well-received, we might get a higher response rate because people have heard of the study). another benefit to using ARL libraries is already having library stats (collection size, salaries, etc.) and not having to ask those questions on a survey--we could make it a shorter survey that only concentrates on the dean him/her-self.
    • instead of sending paper and/or online surveys, personally call the deans. the time this would require might pay off in the potentially higher number of responses we might get--i imagine we could cover most questions in 5 to 10 minutes, and we'd also potentially make useful professional connections. we could also call and ask if they'd like us to call back later, or email them the questions--give them an option of how to respond, at their convenience.

Analyze Data

• statistical analysis
• create visual displays of information, helps with analysis and communication
• discuss implications of data

Write Up Research

• determine to start as poster, paper, presentation, or article
• identify possible areas to publish or present in
  • present: http://librarywriting.blogspot.com/2008/11/cfp-qualitative-and-quantitative.html
  • publish:
    • http://librarywriting.blogspot.com/2009/04/cfp-library-leadership-management.html
    • Higher Ed Journals...?
• write the material