ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries 274 / C&RL News ■ A p ril 1999 C o l l e g e & R e s e a r c h L i b r a r i e s news Field guide to library managers How to identify species found in most libraries by Art A. Lichtenstein T here already exists proven field guides on a wonderful variety of useful subjects. Handy titles like How to K n ow the Non-gilled Fleshy Fungi; Tracks, Scats, a n d Other Traces; and B ottled G as M an u al: A Text B o o k a n d F ield G u ide are all readily available. But, sur­ prisingly, a careful search of the literature re­ veals that there is no field guide to the iden­ tification of library managers. Theoretical models of library managers are easy to find. Most come to us from busi­ ness management, some from behavioral psychology, others from organizational be­ havior. For example, in L ibrary a n d In for­ m ation C enter M a n a g em en t Robert Stueart e x p la in s “c o u n try c l u b ,” “a u th o rity - compliance,” and “middle o f the road” man­ agers.' Joanne Euster, in The A c a d e m ic Li­ b r a r y D i r e c t o r ‚ p r o file s “e n e r g iz e r ,” “sustainer,” and “politician” type managers.2 In B eh av ior in O rganizations‚ James Lau pre­ sents “great man,” “organization man,” and “retired but still on the job” managers.3 Theo­ retical models like these are useful. They help us step away from our hectic routines, put our emotions on hold, and look at the behavior of our managers with objectivity and cool reason. Writing in 1934, Roger Tory Peterson pref­ aced his now famous F ield G u ide to Birds, with a tale about a young boy named Yan.4 This was a lad who, though he studied with great concentration his stuffed duck speci­ mens, could not identify ducks in the wild. They moved too fast, flew away too quickly, and could not be measured and weighed. Prior to Peterson’s work, there was no guide for identifying live birds, on the wing, in their natural habitat. Anyone who works with contemporary library managers can readily understand young Yan’s problem. No matter how care­ fully we study the theoretical models, no matter with what scrutiny we examine the stuffed specimens, it is virtually impossible to identify live library managers as they go about their daily managing. They move too quickly, are erratic in their behavior, and, like all creatures subject to frequent attack, they have developed sophisticated methods o f concealment and evasion. To assist in the correct field identification of library managers, the following brief guide is offered. Please read it with a critical eye. It is the author’s hope that it will lead to a more comprehensive work, covering all regions of the United States and all types of libraries. Comments, corrections, additions, and sug­ gestions are welcome. Pinstriped common traveler (scooter) Readily identifiable; a good type for begin­ ners; definitive marking is overnight bag clutched under the arm. Wide ranging; mi­ grates frequently all over the continental About th e author A r t A . Lichtenstein is coordinator o f public services at the University o f Central Arkansas, e-mail: artl@mail.uca.edu. A version o f this article first appeared in the Ju n e 1997 issue o f Arkansas Libraries. mailto:artl@mail.uca.edu C&RL News ■ A p ril 1999 / 275 United States. Rarely spotted in home nest. Often sighted on route to any national con­ ference held in close proximity to luxury hotels and first-class eateries. Often heard singing, “Yes, soon as I ’m back next week, w e’ll work on that. Sorry, gotta go!” Elbow -patched th erapist th rash er Known for its incessant call, “Y es, I un­ derstand your feelings on this,” the thera­ pist manager is a nonindigenous species imported from the human relations m ove­ ment o f the 1970s. It’s well-m eaning but misguided adherents believed that the pur­ pose o f good management was to make everyone feel better. Unique in silhouette; always perched in an easy chair, leaning forward with hand under chin; listens at­ tentively. Not known for conflict resolu­ tion or problem -solving; nevertheless, a very congenial bird. Coloration o f plum­ age always soothing; earthy browns, tans, and rich reds. Pasture land com m ittee fo rm er Characteristic behavior pattern is to encour­ age the formation of small, quarrelsome flocks consisting o f four to a dozen specimens. Rarely, if ever, spotted alone, this bird thrives on detailed agendas and exhaus­ tive reports. Known for its ability to sit on its rump for long periods of time. Call is a strident “Let’s meet, let’s meet, let’s meet.” Displays an im­ pressive propensity to turn molehills into mountains. Firmly believes that any issue, no matter how trite, merits endless group discussion. Widely admired for its ability to make time stand still. Caution: Though out­ wardly pleasant, this manager type is capable o f great ferocity if it perceives a threat to its next meeting date. W axy-throated fa st talker Easy to spot in good weather; uncanny in its ability to disappear at the first hint o f storm clouds, this man­ g e r typ e cou ld convince goldfish to purchase mit­ tens. D is tin ctiv e ly marked, with gar­ ish plumage and a h u g e, plum p beak. Capable of producing exten­ sive variety of me­ lodious, meaning­ less calls. C on­ v in ce d th at all problems are “situations” and all situations may be solved through the application of the hearty handshake and the unctuous smile. A co m ica l bird, fun to w atch , alw ays well-groomed and ready to “do lunch.” Dart-flinging ladder-backed stabber A bird o f prey; best left undisturbed. Long tailed, sneaky, sinuous in flight; full plum­ age with oily, iridescent sheen. Hooked beak; hooded eyes; powerful talons. On mature specim ens talons be stained red from frequent contact with blood. A nasty, wily bird possessed o f a low cunning in­ telligence; very dangerous. Not a recom ­ mended manager type for beginners. In­ variably perched in the shadows, known for its ability to ambush subordinates. Fortunately, a rare type but definitely not a bird to be taken lightly. Close study best left to experienced field researchers. 276 / C&RL News ■ A p ril 1999 G reater upland retired-on-the- jobber A small rufous bird; distinctive call is a melo­ dious, “That won’t work, that won’t work, that won’t work” alternating with “It’s been tried, it’s been tried, it’s been tried.” This type of manager enjoys history and serves as the flock’s unofficial historian; a staunch conser­ vative. Often heard reminding other birds that any new ideas they may wish to explore were undoubtedly tried out in the nineteenth cen­ tury and failed miserably. Buffle-headed lesser w itle ss coot A large ungainly, almost flightless manager type, the only bird you are likely to spot crash­ ing into trees; look for the crumpled feathers and dazed expression. Unable to sing; may be heard emitting low, painful croaks. Fascinating to observe; often overpaid; bumbles around its environ­ ment alternately amusing and enraging sub­ ordinates. Often mistakenly identified in the field as Old World Dodo. Field notes and suggestions • Do not forget that library managers have their own field guides and, while you are No m atter how carefu lly w e study th e theoretical m odels, no m atter w ith w h at scru tin y w e exam ine the stuffed specim ens, it is virtu ­ ally im possible to id entify live library m anagers as th ey go about th eir daily m anaging. studying them, they are prob­ ably studying you. Always carry something into the field; may be a clipboard, book, etc. Preferred equipage for the 1990s is a stack of computer paper and a couple of floppy disks. These items pro­ vide excellent camouflage. • As tempting as it may be to stroll slowly over the terrain, pausing quietly from time to time so you can focus on your subject, try to move along at a steady pace. If you must pause to identify a particular field mark, make it a short pause and seek cover. Fortunately library terrain is full of good cover: book trucks, study tables, old mainframes, display cases, and members of the public all do nicely. • Keep a life list, preferably annotated and cross referenced. Minimally you will want to note species type, location, date of sighting, and the distinctive markings that helped you make a positive identification. Such a list is satisfying to build and, as your career progresses, will prove invaluable as an aid to evaluating new territory. Photos or sketches greatly enhance the value (and collectibility) of any life list. Resist the temptation to pur­ chase notes and preserved specimens from commercial supply houses. Notes 1. Robert D. Stueart and Barbara B. Moran. Library a n d Inform ation Center M anagem ent (Englewood, Colo: libraries Unlimited, 1993): 216. 2. Joanne R. Euster. The A ca d em ic Library D irector (Ne w York: Greenwood Press, 1987): 93- 100 . 3. James Brownlee Lau. B eh a v io r in Or­ g a n iz a t io n s (Homewood, Ill: R.D. Irwin, 1979): 33. 4. Roger T. Peterson. A F ield G uide to Birds (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1934): vii. ■