Recommended Staff Reading List For The San Francisco Public Library

Every quarter I produce a staff development reading list for the folks at the San Francisco Public Library. Usually only a few titles will rotate in a given quarter.

If you happen to be a member of San Francisco Public Library, you can borrow the whole list for free here:

https://sfpl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/358970667_brendanrogers/508881546_staff_development_reading_list_(fall_2015)

These titles should also be available at your local library wherever you live.


My Staff Development Reading List for the San Francisco Public Library:


1. "Biblio Tech: Why Libraries Matter More Than Ever in the Age of Google" by John Palfrey


I saw this guy speak at the American Library Association Conference. For library workers this book is kind of preaching to the choir. They don’t need to be sold on the ideas that libraries are vital civic institutions ensuring an informed electorate. Library workers know this in their bones. The major "sales pitch” is to the person that does not use their library. It communicates the value of libraries to the competitive advantage of the nation. I recommended this book for library workers because it is a call to action. It speaks to the opportunities libraries have to more effectively serve our communities. It also warns us that these opportunities are time sensitive and that we must act now to ensure libraries are central to the lives of Americans in the 21st century.



2.  "Season of the Witch: Enchantment, Terror, and Deliverance in the City of Love" by David Talbot

Every year the San Francisco Public Library identifies a single book recommendation for the whole city. The program is called “One City One Book”. The books chosen often examine the history and culture of our city and serve as conversational touchstones for those who participate. For employees of the San Francisco Public Library, it is vital that staff are in this conversation about the city they serve.  Last year, Armistead Maupin’s “Tales of the City” was chosen. The book is a fictional tale centered in 1970’s San Francisco covering the lives of people in the time of the sexual revolution. Maupin’s fictional portrayal of San Francisco is offset by this years choice. Season of the Witch is a dark journey covering a time period starting in the 1960’s summer of love through the HIV/AIDS tragedy of the 1980s. As someone who grew up in SF, I really appreciate the choice. Last year, Tales of the City was a fictional and largely fun portrait of SF. This year complements “ Tales”  by following up with a dark vision of our reality. Ultimately, Season of the Witch points to glimpses of our best selves in the midst of tragedy. Well worth a read.

3. "The Social Leader: Redefining Leadership for the Complex Social Age" by Frank Guglielmo 

We are at the beginning of a massive shift in the way people interact in the workplace. The book outlines strategies for leveraging your authenticity to advance your professional growth.

4. "The End of Power: From Boardrooms to Battlefields and Churches to States, Why Being in Charge Isn't What It Used to Be" by Moises Naim

Explains how traditional forms of power are diffusing in the 21st century. Important as our workplace shifts from a a hierarchical model to one based on personal and specialty knowledge power.

5. "The Start Up Of You" by Reid Hoffman

A well grounded book on how to lead your own career written by one of the founders of LinkedIn. 

6. "A Year with Peter Drucker: 52 Weeks of Coaching for Leadership Effectiveness” 

A self paced leadership development workbook based upon the works of a master.

7. “The Alliance: Managing Talent In The Networked Age” by Reid Hoffman

Defines a new vision for HR strategy based upon clearly defined expectations and mutually beneficial relationships between employees and employers.

8. “How To Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie 

A classic text. Key practices to help you engage with others more effectively.