This week we were asked to ponder, how the content of Colvin’s article relates the school libraries? Throughout the reading I highlighted several key words and phrases that I thought applicable to school libraries, the library management team and the TL as a leader. Below I have notes these key words and phrases and have partnered them with an explanation.

• “Increase efficiency of manual process” – This reflects the nature of the information service provided by school and educational libraries.
• “Knowledge workers” over “manual labourers” – I believe this is applicable to school libraries and information services because TL’s must view the library and information team as a knowledge bank and not just manual labourers who contact books and clean selves.
• “Value of teams” – Reflecting the above statement, it is important the school library and information services recognise and value all members of the team and the unique abilities and skills they bring to the library environment.
• “Iron authority and shared values” – It is important the the lead TL lead their team with iron authority and shared values, as this will lead to a united team and valued environment.
• “Fast-moving, adaptable, creative enterprise” – A library needs to be fast-moving and adaptable (meeting the changing needs of students and curriculum), whilst creatively meeting these challenges. Through this functionality is also supported.

Colvin make the summarising statement that “creating, articulating, and sustaining the organisation’s values thus become one of management’s most important jobs“. This is true about TL’s and school libraries as the values of creating, articulating and sustaining are very important to school library teams and the TL as a leader.

Colvin, G. (2000). Managing in the info era. Fortune, 141(5). Retrieved from http://archive.fortune.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2000/03/06/275231/index.htm?iid=sr-link1.