The Dysfunctional Library

May 15, 2018

Getting a group of people to work together effectively can be hard, and finding an organization with little or no dysfunction is rare. Strategies for avoiding and addressing workplace behavior are standard elements in titles on management and leadership, including those that relate to the library world. This volume stands out because it is entirely dedicated to the topic as it relates to libraries. Its specificity and focus bring to mind Ann Darling and Catherine Soehner's Effective Difficult Conversations. However, while Henry (librarian, Charlotte Mecklenburg Lib.), Joe Eshleman (formerly instruction librarian with Johnson & Wales Univ. Lib.-Charlotte), and Richard Moniz (director, library svcs., Johnson & Wales Univ. Lib.-Charlotte) also consider the challenges of communication and conflict management, their coverage extends to numerous other areas with potential for dysfunction, such as organizational culture, interpersonal relationships, leadership, collaboration, emotional intelligence, and team composition. Many of the authors' findings come from their own study on dysfunction in the library work environment. VERDICT A highly instructive and practical resource that will appeal to library leaders and managers at all levels.--Sara Holder, Univ. of Illinois Libs., Champaign

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