Monica Garcia

Library polymath

Collaborative leadership

My leadership style aligns closely with the servant leadership model. I care deeply about my team's well-being and prioritize collaboration, clear communication, and empowering direct reports with what they need to succeed. My leadership experience includes two years supervising circulation staff and two years supervising programming staff in a large library.

Clear communication

Is there any group of people on this earth that values clear communication more than librarians? I know I find it much easier to work in an environment where expectations and practices are clearly communicated. Colleagues and direct reports sing the praises of technical documents I’ve written; some of them are still in use years later! As a collection librarian, I take the time to craft a reply to each staff suggestion, ensuring my colleagues in public-facing roles know I appreciate their insights.

Building partnerships

Libraries are unique institutions that provide a gateway to community resources by partnering with and making referrals to other agencies. Creating and maintaining partnerships with other government agencies, nonprofits, and businesses not only strengthens the library, but it also helps sustain communities. I enjoy connecting with community leaders and servants to identify where our missions align. These partnerships brought hundreds of people into the library for programs including Bollywood Dance, Hispanic Business Fair, and Library ComiCon, among many others. I believe that leveraging partnerships can benefit every department of a public library.

Operationalizing strategic plans

Every library has a mission and a strategic plan, and if we’re honest, writing them is the easy part. The hard part is knowing how to bring those lofty goals into the everyday reality of running a library. This is the kind of thought exercise that I enjoy most. Experience has taught me how to break down a process or an issue and measure each piece against the broader institutional goals. Whether it’s redesigning the workflow around an automated materials handler while prioritizing staff excellence or creating equity training aligned with our DEI goals, I can turn any strategic plan into strategic action.