THE CHANGING-ROLE OF THE MIDDLE MANAGER IN RESEARCH-LIBRARIES

THE EXTENSIVE IMPLEMENTATION of technology in the workplace, recent efforts to reduce levels of hierarchy, the need to reduce the number of positions in many organizations, and the introduction of self-managing work groups have led to speculation that the middle manager will disappear. This article disputes this prediction and, instead, proposes that the role is undergoing a transformation. The author draws on her experience in conducting the Library Management Skills Institutes offered by the Association of Research Libraries' Office of Management Services to describe the new role and responsibilities of the middle manager in research libraries. The article concludes with a list of the skills and abilities that will be critical for the effective middle manager in the future.