Kirsten Clark, "Practical Project Management for Librarians" (Bloomsbury, 2025)

In this episode of the New Books in Library Science podcast, host Michael LaMagna interviews Kirsten Clark, Director of Library Enterprise Systems at the University of Minnesota Libraries and author of *Practical Project Management for Librarians* (Bloomsbury, 2026). Clark draws on her 30 years of experience in academic librarianship to argue that project management is not just a useful tool but a professional necessity for librarians. She emphasizes that recognizing everyday work as 'projects'—temporary, goal-oriented endeavors—helps librarians communicate their value, align with institutional goals, and secure resources. The conversation explores the importance of integrating project management into LIS education, the risks of neglecting it (including reactive decision-making and stalled progress), and the strategic value of planning, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability. Clark also outlines three project management models—predictive, agile, and hybrid—offering practical guidance on selecting the right approach based on organizational culture, resources, and project scope. She highlights the dangers of 'perpetual' and 'orphan' projects and advocates for intentional closure and lessons-learned documentation. Looking ahead, Clark expresses interest in deepening her research on change management, especially in the context of ongoing technological and structural shifts like AI and hybrid work. Key takeaways include: (1) Frame library work as projects to enhance visibility and strategic alignment; (2) Use predictive, agile, or hybrid models based on context and culture; (3) Prioritize stakeholder buy-in and communication from the start; (4) Plan for sustainability and risk from the outset; (5) Proactively assess and close projects that no longer serve their purpose; (6) Treat project management as a form of change leadership; (7) Invest in documentation and transparency to support collaboration; and (8) View project closure as a professional responsibility, not a failure. The episode is a compelling call to action for librarians to embrace project management not as a bureaucratic burden but as a core professional competency that strengthens their impact and relevance in rapidly evolving institutions.