Catherine Hakala-Ausperk, M.L.S.

Catherine Hakala-Ausperk is a librarian, author, speaker and trainer with over 35-years of experience in everything from direct customer service to library management and administration. A '78 (BA) and '91 (MLIS) graduate of Kent State, she is the owner and principal of Libraries Thrive Consulting (librariesthrive.com). In addition to being an Adjunct Instructor at the iSchool, Catherine also teaches for the American Library Association’s Certified Public Library Administrator (CPLA) Program, The Public Library Association, ALA’s eLearning Solutions, the Urban Library Council, Infopeople and multiple other organizations. An active speaker, planner and trainer in libraries across the country, she is the author of seven books published by The American Library Association: Be a Great Boss: One Year to Success (2011); Build a Great Team: One Year to Success (2013); Renew Yourself: A Six-Step Plan for More Meaningful Work (2017); and a unique series of “Leadership Planners,” including Future-Proof Your Team (2019); Win ‘Em Over (2019); Dynamic Discipline (2019), and Hot Ticket Meetings (2020). Her eighth book, Do-It-Yourself Leadership: A Field Guide to Today's Soft Skills for the Library Workplace, is scheduled for release in 2021. Also in 2021, Build a Great Team: One Year to Success will have the honor of being the first book published by ALA to be selected for re-release nationally as Build Great Teams by trade publisher Sourcebooks. In 2015, she was honored as the iSchool's Alumnus of the Year. Catherine’s passion is for supporting, coaching and developing great libraries, successful teams, and – especially – strong and effective leaders.

*The School of Information faculty are superstars in the field. Therefore, it is impossible to list all of the work they do on one page. Listed below is a small selection of Catherine Hakala-Ausperk’s work. Further information can be viewed in her resume on her personal website or in her interview on Library Leadership Podcast.

Teaching

Academic Program
Library and Information Science

Courses
LIS 60040    Information Institutions and Professions 
LIS 60608    The Public Library
LIS 60610     Management of Libraries & Information Centers
LIS 60614     Selection & Acquisition

Selected Publications

Hakala-Ausperk, C. (2013). Grants and the grant writing process. In D. L. Velasquez (Ed.),  Library management 101: A practical guide. ALA Editions. ISBN: 978-0838911488

Hakala-Ausperk, C. (2011). Waking up the neighborhood: Partnerships with local businesses and art communities. In K. Ellis (Ed.), Partnerships and collaborations in public library communities: Resources and solutions. IGI Global. ISBN: 978-1613503874 https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-61350-387-4

Hakala-Ausperk, C. (2010, April). Invest in yourself. American Libraries, 41(4), 51-53. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/20700466

Hakala-Ausperk, C. (2010). Reaching little heights. In B. Diamant-Cohen (Ed.), Children’s services: Partnerships for success. ALA Editions. ISBN: 978-0838910443

Awards/Achievements

• Kent State University’s iSchool Alumnus of the Year (2015)
• Certified Public Library Administrator (ALA) (2010 - Present)
• Career Development Facilitator (National Career Development Association) (2015)

Professional Service

• Editor of “By the Book,” professional review column in Public Libraries Magazine (2003 - Present)
• Board Member of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Learning Roundtable (2017 - 2020)
• President of Kent State University’s iSchool Alumni Network (2018 - 2019)
• Served on the ALA-APA Certification Review Committee (2012 - 2015)
• Served on the State Library of Ohio LSTA Advisory Council (2010 - 2013)
• Served on the Public Library Association (PLA) Conference Committee (2011 - 2013)

Affiliations

• American Library Association (ALA)
• Public Library Association (PLA)