Project: Qualifications of Academic Library Deans

Original Notes

Next Steps:

1. finish the literature review portion
2. define the list of (current) ARL institutions/deans to be included in the study (66 for each of us to find)
3. analyze each library dean's academic background
   • information sources:
     • information on the institution's website (library website, faculty/administrators website)
     • CV (institutional website, personal website, etc.)
     • academic catalog
     • information posted at conferences or in publications
     • alumni institutions
   • specific information to gather:
     • degrees earned
     • subject matter of degrees
     • research interests
     • number of years of experience at the dean position
     • any experience working as a librarian (or non-librarian faculty member?)
     • presentation/publishing record?
     • gender? (is this possible, from a document assessment? probably not)
     • what kind of "outcomes" or dependent variables should we look for?
   • should we also look at position postings, to see what are requirements or suggestions?  what do we do about institutions in leadership transition?

Analyze Information/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

Post-Study To-Do's

• 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