Effective management in academic libraries requires more than oversight and decision-making: it calls for leadership that centers people, relationships, and trust. As higher education continues to evolve, library managers are tasked with guiding teams through uncertainty while sustaining motivation, engagement, and well-being. This session explores how leaders can intentionally cultivate a person-centered culture that supports both individual growth and organizational resilience.
At EKU Libraries, we recognized that in order to ensure the library remains relevant amidst shifting institutional priorities and shrinking budgets, we first needed to strengthen how we worked together. By focusing on psychological safety, transparent communication, and shared purpose, we fostered an environment that encouraged learning, experimentation, and adaptability. Drawing on Edgar Schein’s stages of learning and change, we’ll discuss how our management practices evolved to support staff as they navigated this uncertain territory.
Participants will gain practical strategies for leading through change while maintaining a culture of care. We will share examples of how reframing resistance, promoting collaboration, and aligning daily work with institutional goals helped us strengthen both our team and our impact. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas for supporting staff well-being, enhancing communication, and embedding empathy into management practices—tools that empower leaders at all levels to create sustainable, people-focused change within their organizations.
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