NSU Horizons Fall 2007

summon up the assortment of inter- national talks, collaborations, and consulting services that serve as bookmarks in his 43-year career. How did this self-described “hick from West Virginia” construct technology- enhanced library facilities, inspire a generation of library leaders, publish prolifically, lead volumes of professional organizations, and consult actively around the world? As Riggs describes it, “I have always had a passion for service and a desire to lead.” By age 22, he was teaching, administering, and serving as a librarian—roles he contin- ues to fill. While performing these duties, he earned a master’s degree in education admin- istration from West Virginia University. Riggs thinks his early start fueled his career. In 1968, Riggs moved to a position as science and eco- nomics librarian at California State College in Pennsylvania, about 35 miles from University of Pittsburgh, where he acquired his master’s degree in library sciences (M.L.S.). “The economics exposure allowed me to gain a deeper appreciation of business management, which I later expressed in a series of books I wrote integrating library management with business practice,” Riggs said. Over the course of his career, management practices came in and out of style, but one of his favorites, strategic planning, is still widely used. He recalls the fads, “Zero-Based Budgeting, Management by Objectives, Total Quality Management—all of them, they come and go. But strategic planning is still here.” His 1984 book, Strategic Planning for Library Managers , marked the first time that topic was developed in a book for librarians. Strategic planning is an ongoing process through which library leaders articulate courses of action for attaining institutional goals and objectives. It’s the best process, he believes, for managing change in libraries. Soon after taking his current position at NSU, Riggs initiated a strategic planning process. Susi Seiler, director of technical services, already had a strategic plan for her section. When he asked her about it, she laughed and said, “I read your book!” 8 horizons spotlight Donald E. Riggs, M.L.S., Ed.D., has never been one to approach things by thinking inside the box. As an icon in the field of library management—where organization, consisten- cy, and silence are golden—Riggs’s celebrated career among librarians is greatly due to thinking outside the box. Take, for instance, his first job as an educator. When the high school principal entered the classroom where Riggs was teaching biology and told him “We need a librarian,” Riggs replied with a characteristic, “Sure!” From his current post as vice president for information services and university librarian at Nova Southeastern University, Riggs reflects on a library career filled with opportunities and accomplishments. He describes his career path with self-effacing modesty. Pointing to bound volumes on the shelf behind him in his office at the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center, he quietly describes how he was founding editor of the Library Administration and Management Journal , editor of Library Hi Tech , editor of College and Research Libraries , and served on the editorial board of the Journal of Library Administration . An intricate collection of knick-knacks from China, Hong Kong, Germany, India, and many other countries A Career That Speaks Volumes By Rich Ackerman (L–R): NSU President Ray Ferrero, Jr.; Circle of Friends Past President Mary Riedel; Vice President for Information Services and University Librarian Dr. Donald E. Riggs; and Circle of Friends Past President Gail Kaplan.