GLC Library Program Administration 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A library director must terminate an employee for documented performance failures. Which step is most critical BEFORE termination?
- Notify the press
- Ensure progressive discipline is documented and HR/legal counsel is consulted (Correct answer)
- Remove the employee's access badge immediately without notice
- Post the job opening
Correct answer: Ensure progressive discipline is documented and HR/legal counsel is consulted
Progressive discipline documentation and HR/legal review protect the library from wrongful termination claims and ensure due process.
Question 2: The Georgia Public Library Service uses per-capita funding formulas partly based on which data source?
- Annual library circulation statistics only
- U.S. Census population data (Correct answer)
- School enrollment figures
- PINES borrower card counts
Correct answer: U.S. Census population data
State aid formulas typically use official U.S. Census population figures to determine per-capita funding allocations for public libraries.
Question 3: Which tool is most useful for identifying gaps between current library services and community needs?
- An ILS circulation report
- A community needs assessment (Correct answer)
- A staff satisfaction survey
- A collection age analysis
Correct answer: A community needs assessment
A community needs assessment gathers data directly from residents and stakeholders to reveal unmet needs that internal reports cannot show.
Question 4: A library's Friends group wants to donate $50,000 for a new makerspace. The director's first administrative action should be to:
- Purchase equipment immediately
- Present the gift to the board for acceptance and determine any restrictions on use (Correct answer)
- Deposit funds and begin renovation without board action
- Decline because gifts complicate audits
Correct answer: Present the gift to the board for acceptance and determine any restrictions on use
Gifts to public entities typically must be formally accepted by the governing board, which also clarifies any donor restrictions.
Question 5: When writing a job description for a new librarian position, ALA guidelines suggest competencies should align with:
- The salary range available in the budget
- ALA Core Competences of Librarianship and local service priorities (Correct answer)
- The outgoing employee's personal strengths
- Georgia Department of Labor standard job codes only
Correct answer: ALA Core Competences of Librarianship and local service priorities
ALA's Core Competences provide a professional framework for defining librarian qualifications, which should be adapted to local service needs.
Question 6: Which risk management practice is most important when a library offers programs for minors without parental presence?
- Requiring staff to have CPR certification only
- Implementing written policies on supervision ratios, background checks, and parental consent (Correct answer)
- Keeping no records of attendance to protect privacy
- Restricting programs to adults
Correct answer: Implementing written policies on supervision ratios, background checks, and parental consent
Clear policies covering staff-to-child ratios, background screening, and consent forms reduce liability and protect minors in library programs.
Question 7: A library director wants to advocate for increased county funding. The most effective strategy is to:
- Send anonymous letters to commissioners
- Present data on library usage, economic impact, and community testimonials to decision-makers (Correct answer)
- Reduce hours to demonstrate need
- Ask patrons to boycott county services
Correct answer: Present data on library usage, economic impact, and community testimonials to decision-makers
Evidence-based advocacy combining usage statistics, economic value data, and community voices is the most persuasive approach to elected officials.
GLC Library Program Administration 4
A library director must terminate an employee for documented performance failures.
Which step is most critical BEFORE termination?