Essential Project Management Skills for Library Workers

Monday, October 3 – Sunday, November 13, 2022 | Six-week online course. 

This eCourse introduces essential strategies and techniques for project management in libraries. Topics include management styles, institutional constraints, project life cycles, stakeholder management, scope definition, risk assessment, project planning tools, and team management. There will be a special emphasis on managing teams, including information on the role of the leader, the value of diversity and inclusion, communications, and meeting management.

This course will be useful for both experienced and new project managers and other leaders that want to develop a better understanding how to develop and manage projects, particularly in times of uncertainty. No previous experience is required.

There are six modules. Each module includes both resources (lectures, readings, and videos) and a forum discussion question. Our primary text is Searcy, C. (2018). Project management in libraries: On time, on budget, on target. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions. All materials are provided, including the primary text.

By completing the course, students will be able to:

• Apply project management concepts to library and information practices
• Identify project management roles and environment
• Understand the role of the Project Manager as a leader
• Understand the value of diversity and inclusion in team development
• Use major project management techniques
• Control and evaluate project management approaches effectively to achieve better strategic outcomes

Sean Gaffney has taught at the School of Information at San José State University since 2008. His area of expertise is library management and administration. Sean teaches courses in Library Financial Management, Project Management, Library Professions, and Using Social Media for Competitive and Company Research. Sean holds an MLIS from Kent State University, a Certificate in Advanced Study in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, and a Master of Business Administration from Saint Leo University. Sean is also a Project Management Professional and a member of the Project Management Institute. He currently consults in the areas of project management, library administration, and financial analysis. Sean lives in the Tampa Bay, Florida area.

If you have questions or requests regarding accessibility, contact us at ce@ala.org or at 312-280-5100.

CALL SPONSORED: CALL is offering a limited number of free seats to California library staff in this ALA course. Please use the link above to register for one of these no-cost seats. In order to gain the most impact from learning events sponsored by the CALL grant we ask that all participants engage fully (attend, participate, discuss and share). If you are unable or not willing to agree to this, please be kind and leave a seat or place for someone else.