Holding The Fort: The Service-Oriented Leadership of Librarians

Abstract

Librarians are important stakeholders of an academic community. For institutions of higher education that highly values knowledge and research output, the role of librarians is even more vital. However, not much is known about their service and leadership roles since their work is mostly carried out behind the scene. This ethnographic study highlights the values and shared culture of librarians of a Christian institution of higher education. The study focused on six librarians who are working in a private library in the Philippines, specifically in one province. The results of the study showed that the values and shared culture of the librarians, the unspoken service providing leaders of this institution are just immeasurable. The librarians did possess service, open communication, mutual respect, continuous improvement and knowledge sharing among them as well as to the patrons they come across. The study also pointed on the various challenges that they face due to budget constraints and the nature of the multicultural working environment. As a coping mechanism, the participants work with a heart for mission, benefiting all concerned.