Project Management Skills: A Literature Review and Content Analysis of Librarian Position Announcements

Abstract

Project management is pervasive in the literature and practice of many industries, including finance, IT, engineering, and biotechnology. The recent rapid proliferation of complex library services such as virtual reference and digital repositories suggests that the role of librarians is becoming increasingly project-oriented. This article presents an overview of professional project management and a literature review from the library science and management literatures. A content analysis of librarian position announcements was conducted, and indicates that project management skills are in demand for librarians. However, it is unclear whether current library science literature and education adequately address project management skills or other traditionally “extra-librarian” leadership qualities now needed to effectively manage project based initiatives in libraries.