The Librarian and Management Competence in Strategic Planning

Abstract

Objective: To investigate how strategic planning, which is part of the management process, is carried out by librarians in public libraries in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre. Methods: It uses the case study, being a basic qualitative research with an exploratory approach, developed through interviews with four manager librarians of public libraries from the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre. Results: Some librarians carry out strategic planning independently, while others are part of larger planning, which is that of the government agency to which they are subordinated. These professionals basically work on completing spreadsheets, which must be incorporated into the budget of higher bodies. Strategic planning becomes present in library management with the primary function of collecting data on the most basic needs. For librarians, the Librarianship course allowed learning about administration, even in a broad and basic way, requiring constant updating of the skills acquired in the course. Conclusions: The librarians express the competence in the strategic planning, but their actions are limited by the hierarchies and policies to which the libraries are subjected.