What do academic librarians value in a leader? Reflections on past positive library leaders and a consideration of future library leaders

Abstract

Followers play an important part in the leadership construct. Followers are attracted to leaders who possess the kinds of traits they value in a leader. Organizational members need leaders to act in a specific way and according to certain criteria in order to acknowledge and respond to their leadership. While some will never respond to leadership, many will when they encounter a leader who possesses the kinds of skills and abilities they value in a leader. This is important because leaders are successful or not successful based on the support and action of followers. This study aimed to identify what traits academic librarians valued in a leader by asking them to describe a leader who had a positive impact on their daily work lives and what traits future library leaders would need in order to have a positive impact. Using constant comparative analysis, responses from 318 academic librarians were analyzed. Their responses were grouped into seven leadership themes for past positive leaders: emotional intelligence, empowering, visionary thinker, communicator, librarian/manager, trustworthy, and a catalyst for change; and six themes for future library leaders: people first, visionary, change agent, experienced librarian, role model, and communicator.