چکیده:
This paper aims to investigate the current status of management development in academic libraries and it identifies the deterrent factors in administering management development programs. In order to fulfill the aim of the study, 268 managers from 73 academic libraries answered the questions on their need to management development and the current performance of their organizations. They also prioritized the organizational obstacles to their development. The results revealed that, in general, almost all academic library managers express the need for managerial development. In spite of that, in more than half of libraries no management development program has been held. As the results showed, the three most important obstacles to management development include “Not recognized as a need”, “Inappropriate appraisal system” and “Lack of suitable program” respectively.
خلاصه ماشینی:
In order to fulfill the aim of the study, 268 managers from 73 academic libraries answered the questions on their need to management development and the current performance of their organizations.
The results revealed that, in general, almost all academic library managers express the need for managerial development.
Unfortunately, anecdotal evidence points to the fact that in many cases there is no systematic and official management development program for academic library managers in Iran.
Regarding this issue, it would be useful to identify the deterrent factors inhibiting the administration of management development programs in academic libraries in Iran.
In his paper, McClure (1980) puts out a clarion call for more attention to be paid to the discipline of management in academic libraries and the need for more formal training in the techniques of management to be provided to librarians.
His findings show that while the current state of management preparation, training, and development of middle managers in American academic libraries is quite strong in several areas, it is lacking in some ways as well.
Therefore, the results of this study implied that university administrators and library managers alike do not deem management development as a need.
"Inappropriate appraisal system" is the second most important obstacle to management development in academic libraries in Iran.
Most of the changes in the managerial structure of academic libraries should be based on the appraisal of managers and any development program should be designed according to the findings of the appraisal.