ARLIS/NA 54th Annual Conference

Art and design librarianship requires a balance of subject expertise, knowledge of unique and distinct collections, interdisciplinary research practices, and creative problem-solving. Often these professionals work in specialized libraries where they employ a wide range of library-related knowledge and skills. All of these qualities make art librarians uniquely situated for library leadership roles beyond their disciplinary knowledge. Yet the transition from subject specialist to library administrator is not often discussed, and the challenges and opportunities resulting from this progression remain underexplored. This panel brings together art librarians who now serve in administrative positions, sharing how their experience in art librarianship has shaped their approach to library leadership.
This session focuses on pathways to library administration, with the intention to demonstrate how art librarian expertise can translate effectively into a diverse range of administrative and leadership competencies. Panelists hold a variety of leadership positions, some maintaining their core art librarian duties while others are entirely focused on administrative responsibilities. They represent academic and art and design school libraries located in the United States and Canada, providing a diverse range of perspectives, and will speak to the conference theme of resistance to the many challenges facing the profession.

Some prompts and questions panelists may address include:
-How would you describe your career trajectory and how has your background in art librarianship prepared you for your current role as a library administrator?
-What professional and personal adjustments are necessary when moving from a subject specialist role to an administrative one, and have you been able to retain connections to your work as an art librarian while taking on broader responsibilities?
-Tapping into the spirit of resistance, how do you resist the challenges faced by librarians in this age, including but not limited to censorship, government interference, budget cuts, and the reduction of staff and resources?
-How can library administrators foster diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in their libraries?
-What advice do you have for art librarians who are interested in moving into administrative roles in an academic and/or art and design school setting and how can ARLIS/NA better support this career trajectory?

By centering the voices of art librarians who have successfully transitioned into administrative roles, this panel seeks to demystify the path from subject specialist to library leader. It will provide practical advice, inspiration, and a space for honest reflection on the challenges and rewards of such career moves. After all, leadership itself is an art—shaped by experience, creativity, and a commitment to both people and collections.

This panel is moderated by a member of the ARLIS/NA Management SIG.