Organizational Architecture was recently featured in Public Libraries Magazine not once, but twice in the July/August 2025 issue. Both articles highlight critical aspects of library leadership and workforce development—topics we are passionate about supporting through our consulting and executive search work. Together with our library colleagues, we explored strategies that can strengthen leadership pipelines, improve job design, and ensure organizational effectiveness for years to come.
In Enhancing Your Management Team: Preparing Mid-Level Leaders for Success, co-authored with Cari Dubiel of Twinsburg Public Library, we focused on why mid-level managers are the essential link between strategy and daily operations. The article offers practical strategies—ranging from formal mentorship and coaching to embedding learning in everyday work—that libraries can use to nurture these leaders. Developing mid-level managers equips organizations with resilient leadership and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
Our second article, Beyond Duties: Embedding Core Values and Competencies in Job Descriptions written with Beth Hatch of Upper Arlington Public Library, explored how job descriptions can be transformed into tools for cultural alignment and accountability. By embedding core values and behavioral competencies alongside duties, libraries can improve hiring outcomes, create clarity for staff, and support long-term development. The article emphasizes tailoring competencies to organizational culture, defining proficiency levels, and refining over time to keep pace with evolving needs.
Together, these two articles highlight practical strategies libraries can use to strengthen leadership, align culture, and build a resilient workforce for the future. Contact us if you want to learn more.