Insights from My Brief Stint as Interim Library Director

In the world of libraries, every day is a new adventure. In 2022, I found myself unexpectedly stepping into the shoes of an interim executive director at our small but vibrant public library. When our previous director left for a new opportunity, I was approached to take up the role. Although I hadn’t planned for this, I saw it as a significant chance to grow in my career.

For five intense months, I juggled multiple responsibilities beyond my usual role as Circulation & Reference Manager. Ultimately, I applied for the permanent director position but faced rejection. Even though this experience was one of the hardest periods of my career, I walked away with invaluable lessons. Here’s what I learned about library management and why I’ve come to believe that being a library director may not be my ideal path.

The Pressure of Wearing Many Hats

Working in a small library often means you take on multiple roles. But during my time as interim director, I found myself wearing so many hats: Business Manager, Facilities Manager, HR, and still managing my regular duties. The weight of these responsibilities felt overwhelming at times. It was like being a superhuman juggler, trying to keep everything from crashing down around me.

Compounding the challenge were unexpected crises, such as our library’s first-ever book challenge arising on my very first day and a plumbing failure while I was on a short vacation. We also faced a troubling incident involving inappropriate content being accessed on one of the public computers, which stirred up quite a bit of drama on social media and led to frantic board meetings. While this may not be the norm, it reminded me that library directors often deal with “mission creep” and the unrealistic expectation that libraries need to address every issue under the sun.

I’ve come to realize that navigating these challenges is essential to understanding what it takes to lead effectively. If you find yourself in a director role, it’s crucial to define your boundaries for both yourself and your team.

Confidence is Key

Throughout this experience, I had to make decisions that affected not just our library but the entire staff and community. I’ve always struggled with self-doubt, especially when others had differing opinions. However, as the director, I needed to trust my instincts. I had to make quick decisions, even when anxiety whispered doubts in my ear.

This role taught me that trusting my professional instincts is vital. Still, it also brought to light my discomfort with being the final decision-maker. It’s essential to evaluate how capable you feel about being the face of the organization and bearing the responsibility for outcomes, both good and bad.

Feeling Detached from Daily Library Life

One of the joys of working in a library is engaging with community members and collaborating with colleagues. As a director, I found myself pulled away from this day-to-day connection. Instead of working directly with patrons and staff, I spent much of my time on strategic planning, budget constraints, and long-term community engagement.

This distance from the library experience I loved made me quickly realize that I am much happier as a mid-level manager. This position allows for a balance between having the authority to mentor my colleagues and maintain the hands-on work I enjoy. I want to advocate for staff needs while staying in touch with the community’s desires. When larger issues arise, I prefer being the person who identifies when something should go to the director, rather than being the sole decision-maker in every situation.

Conclusion

Having the experience of being an interim library director taught me much about leadership, confidence, and the nature of library work. While I appreciate the learning opportunities it presented, my heart lies in the day-to-day interactions with patrons and staff. Understanding what truly fulfills me has been a significant takeaway from this journey.

At this point, I’ve resolved to focus on my strengths as a Circulation & Reference Manager, where I can continue to make a meaningful impact on our library community. If you’re considering stepping into a director role, take a moment to reflect on what you want for your career and whether you’re ready for the challenges it might bring.

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Original Text – https://bookriot.com/what-i-learned-as-an-interim-library-director/