Hi everyone! I have met some of you at conferences, but this is my first post here :-)
Recently, my manager was appointed director of the library, to begin in June when the current director retires. I let my manager know that I was interested in applying for her current job as head of the department, and she encouraged me to do so. However, she also expressed some concern that I, as a new manager, would have trouble with the people currently in my department. I have worked in public libraries for over ten years, but I started as a student shelver, so I'm only 26, and the youngest person in the department. I'm also the newest person to the department--some have been at the same library for as long as I've been in the workforce! I'm confident that I can do the job, but I'm afraid that my current colleagues won't accept or respect me as a manager. I already supervise two clerks, have presented for professional associations, and serve as vice-president of our local Beta Phi Mu chapter, among many other accomplishments. So I feel that I've shown my leadership skills, and my current manager has said as much. My age still feels like a bit of a barrier, though. As I told my manager, I only want what's best for the library, but I also want to put my skills to the best use for the library. Any advice for the interview process, or how to influence my current colleagues now? Thanks very much!
Cari Dubiel
Reference Librarian
Twinsburg Public Library
cdubiel@twinsburglibrary.org
