Yes, there are life lessons here: my final regards

Citation

Walther, J.H. (2003), "Yes, there are life lessons here: my final regards", The Bottom Line, Vol. 16 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/bl.2003.17016daa.001

Yes, there are life lessons here: my final regards

Yes, there are life lessons here: my final regards

My favorite modern-day theorist on ethics, Joshua Halberstam, presents in his book Everyday Ethics, a few theories on the values that guide behavior. I find these could be well applied to leaders in the world of library financial management, and could become excellent life lessons for our actions in the library arena. A few of these include:

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  leaders taking chances;

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  leaders getting things done; and

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  leaders practicing what they preach.

Leaders taking chances

Over the past five years of writing for and editing this journal, I have seen countless expressions of financial managers in the library profession working with a dogged forcefulness of an Alaskan expedition, of which, Halberstam would be proud. Our attempts to watch costs are working, and our library patrons are reaping the measurable rewards of our efforts.

Although our tasks are rarely easy in library financial management, our missions are clear and our mandates focused. My years as editor has allowed me and you to see the examples of excellence in financial practice we must continue to reach for on a daily project and yearly basis. Some examples to remember are:

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  "Free thinking: using free sites on the Internet to save time and money", by Julie’A.’Muchin, Vol. 12 No. 4, 1999;

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  "Approaching the challenges and costs of the North American industrial classification system (NAICS)", by Lisa O'Conner, Vol.’13 No. 2, 2000;

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  "Financial needs and problems of university and research laboratory libraries in India", by I.V. Malhan, Vol. 14 No. 3, 2001; and

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  "Plain English collection budgets: a collection plan for public libraries", by Lorna Truck, Vol. 15 No. 4, 2002.

While each of these articles, like most of the articles over the past five years, take a different approach to looking at how dollars are utilized in libraries and information centers around the world. By taking chances, these financial experts presented ways we can implement change and take further chances to save dollars in our libraries for the future. By striving to replicate such strategies, our libraries and patrons will continue to be well-served.

Leaders getting things done

My final issue continues with what I see as financial life lessons. Financial managers lead by getting the task of managing done. Within, you can see the basics of sound financial management are all but encapsulated in these examples covering: building and construction issues, consortial pricing issues, association funding and fund-raising. These articles match well with those life lessons, offering the solid strategies of financial assessment we are looking for today.

Most importantly, I am excited to republish an excellent piece on my current hometown's public library, the District of Columbia Public Library in Washington, DC, USA. While the introduction of DCPL's problems may be local, the overreaching societal and political concerns may be similar to the problems facing cities around the globe. No matter where you find yourself, you may be faced with similar political battles and issues, all grounded in finance. We all, in unison, search for solutions.

Leaders practicing what they preach

As I say goodbye to my role of editor, I need to thank other leaders at Emerald that have allowed me to continue with interest and excitement. My current managing editor, Diane Heath and I have enjoyed putting together an exciting new look and have seen an expansion of Emerald online in the time we have worked together. Diane was preceded by Eileen Breen and Vicky Williams, who both did a stellar job in working with me at the beginning volumes, in which I learned a lot and slept very little. I also need to thank the previous editor Charles Harmon of Neal-Schuman for suggesting me for the role of editor of this journal. The professional and personal connections this journal has allowed me to make around the world has really been the most valuable experience thus far in my career.

The transition to excellence

And therefore, I say au revoir to my readers and leave you with an excellent follow-up show. Kent Boese, John Furlong, Pat Wood, and Eileen Fitzsimons all have a great history of writing and editing for the journal, as well as serving as dedicated board members. I know with these four, the journal will thrive and grow under their new direction.

For now and always, my best regards.

James H. WaltherEditor