College and Research Libraries Editorial The Best Librarians: Who ~re They? In early October I was invited to speak on managing human resources at the fifth annual conference of the Oklahoma chapter of ACRL. Jeanette McQuitty from Northeastern State University, president of the chapter and main organizer of the program, told me that the issue of motivation was of considerable interest to many of Oklahoma's academic librarians and might make a good focal point for my presentation. I agreed and began to work. It was not very long before I asked myself the question, Why do we want a motivated employee or a motivated workforce? Slowly, several answers formed in my mind. These answers centered on the employee, the library as an organization, the user, and finally, our society. "Can Do: The Urge to Excel" was the title of my presentation. I sent this title to Jeanette along with a series of questions relating to my topic that she wanted in order to guide discussion at each table during the lunch break after my presentation. Discussion leaders were selected. At one of these tables Georgene Timko, also from Northeastern State University and dis- cussion leader, read my fifth question! "How do we create a climate where the striving for and achievement of excellence are basic norms?" The group was stymied. We grappled with the issue of excellence. We concluded that it would be necessary to search backward from the type and quality of services that are offered to the campus community for our answer. We went no further. At the time I wonder how we would define an excellent refer- ence, instructional services, collection development, or catalog librarian. I didn't have an answer. The next day on the flight from Oklahoma City to Sacramento·! read an article entitled "No. 1 in His Field." It stated that this superior talent practiced his "art" with a rare skill: Some people disapprove . .. but I say if you get caught up in the old ways ... you'll never excel. ... The way I do things seems to please people .... Yes, I consider it an art form. And I work at it. I just hate to see someone with a lot of talent not work to enhance it. The talent might just as well not be there if it isn't developed. An artist must work. In commenting on this familiar figure, Bud Harrelson remarked, "The thing about Ozzie [Smith] is if he misses a ball, you assume it's uncatchable .... If any other shortstop misses a ball, your first thought is, 'Would Ozzie have had it?' "Sports Illustrated (September 28, 1987, p.65). Many librarians dislike sport stories. But sports have great performers because they have standards of excellence: in golf, the lowest score; in tennis, the most sets; in field hockey, the highest score; in baseball, the fewest errors per chances. In academic librarianship we haven't developed standards of personal excellence, but we need them. In several future editorials I would like to feature a series of library superstars: librarians who excel in serving their campus communities. The foc~s will be on direct patron contact and services. 475 476 College & Research Libraries November 1987 This individual should work harder, smarter, longer, and better than anyone else around. While recognized by you and campus users this person may be otherwise un- known. Publications are not necessary. Research is not necessary. Performance on the field, the user's turf, is the primary criterion. Send the name of your nominee to Charles Martell, Editor, College & Research Libraries, California State University, Sacramento, CA 95819, and tell me why and how this person excels. I'll put your choice within a context. I may even call you or your choice for more informa- tion. This can be a start toward developing our pantheon of heroes-the best librarians, those who excel in the trenches, where it counts the most. CHARLES MARTELL IN FORTHCOMING ISSUES OF COLLEGE & RESEARCH LIBRARIES Implementing Technological Change by Peggy Johnson Library Skill Competencies for the Short Term: Arguing for the Achievable by Richard Feinberg and Christine King Academic Library Standards and Performance Measures by Antoinette M. Kania Providing Library Support to Off-Campus Programs by Marie Kascus and William Aguilar A Survey of Participative Management in California State University Libraries by Ellen Gerry and Susan Klingberg Selected Reference Books of 1987 by Eileen Mcilvaine Now available by subscription! LIT A newsletter • Contemporary columns on technology in libraries, including authority control, expert systems, technical standards, online catalogs, the MARC formats and more .... • Focussed, timely coverge of conference programs and discus- sions within LITA, the only professional association devoted exclusively to the use of technology in libraries .... • Current reports on the plans and activities of the association .... • All in an informed, informal mixture of news, reports and opinions. Now available to non-members by subscription. Library and Information Technology Association a division of the American Library Association Order from: Subscriptions Department American Library Association 50 East Huron Street Chicago, IL 60611-2729 OR PHONE: 312-944-6780 Please enter a one-year subscription to the LITA Newsletter for me and send the next four issues for $15.00. MAIL TO: Name Address City/State/Zip BILL TO: Name Address City/State/Zip _ Payment is enclosed Please bill me. Allow 8 weeks for first i88ue. Add $10 outside the U.S. College Library Information Packets (CLIP Notes) ~anaging Student Workers in College Libraries CLIP Note #7 ~pedal Collections in College Libraries CLIP Note #6 ~ission Statements for College Libraries CLIP Note #5 ~nline Bibliographic Database Searching in College Libraries CLIP Note #4 Policies and Procedures Designed to collect basic data and sample documents which college and small university libraries can use to establish or refine specific services or operations. • Compiled by Michael D. Kathman and Jane MeCum Kathman Contains job descriptions, application and interview forms, orientation and training information, quizzes and tests, and evaluation documents used with student workers in college and small university libraries. $17.00pbk.; ACRL member $14.00 18?P· 0-8389-7097-4 1986 • Compiled by Christine Erdmann Sample documents from college libraries on projects, publicity, financial support, archives, preservation, and use policies. $18.00pbk.; ACRL member $15.00 95p. 0-8389-7004-4 1986 • Compiled by Larry Hardesty, Jamie Hastreiter, and David Henderson Provides guidance to college libraries seeking to develop or refine their statement of purpose. Contains philosophical statements outlining the purposes of selected college libraries. $20.00pbk.; ACRL member $15.00 107p. 0-8389-6944-5 1985 • Compiled by David Carlson and P. Grady Morein " ... making our college and university students cognizant of online services is a must. To those charged with making such services available on the nation's campuses this inexpensive guide is likewise a must." (Online) $19.00pbk.; ACRL member $15.00 132p. 0-8389-6624-1 1983 Association of College and Research Libraries a division of the American Library Association c/o ALA Publishing Services, Order Department 50 East Huron Street· Chicago, Illinois 60611-2795