Larry Hardesty and Tom Kirk examine the challenges encountered and the skills and attributes needed by academic library directors. They analyze the expectations of university administrators and faculty, identify common pitfalls faced by library deans and directors, and consider evolving library roles amidst rapid change in technology and student learning.  They draw, in part, on their wealth of experience in the ACRL College Library Directors Mentor Program designed to strengthen the leadership abilities of beginning directors. Hardesty established the program with funding from the Council on Library & Information Resources, and he conducts it in partnership with Tom Kirk and Mignon Adams, Director of Library & Information Services at the College of the Sciences in Philadelphia.  

Evelyn Curry offers a personal account of initial attraction to academic libraries, then to doctoral studies in library and information science.  She discusses her indebtedness to those who mentored her into the profession, into the classroom to teach, and into the world of scholarship.  She recalls students she has influenced, and addresses the special problems confronted by ethnic and cultural minorities and international students pursuing library education and employment in the United States.

Julie Todaro responds to previous presenters while discussing issues inherent in staff development in all types and sizes of academic libraries.  She focuses on the essential components of a learning library, on key issues in high quality public services, and on the role of mentoring for library management and leadership.  She considers the attributes needed in the next generation of leaders from her special perspective as current president of ACRL.