PLO 04
Statement of Competency:Leading and Managing People and Projects in an Equitable, Just, and Culturally Competent Manner
Working in a library is not just about managing physical and digital resources; it is fundamentally about people. I view a library as a mini version of society, where individuals from diverse backgrounds come together. As such, working effectively with people is essential. Leadership in a library setting is crucial, and as an information professional, it becomes even more significant.
Creating an equitable and just environment must always be a top priority. In my work with community libraries, every decision, policy, and initiative we develop directly impacts the people we serve. It is imperative that we ensure inclusivity and fairness in every aspect of our work.
4.1 Apply Leadership and Management Principles to Direct and Manage People and Projects
At Duong Lieu Library, I have been a manager since 2013 and currently oversee four departments, five internal projects, and more than 70 volunteers. Our personnel are primarily young individuals born between 1990 and 2008. Managing a diverse group of young people requires patience and adaptability to effectively engage with each age group.
To foster meaningful relationships with high school student volunteers, I actively communicate with them whenever I meet them at the library. These interactions go beyond work-related discussions; I make an effort to engage in daily conversations to build rapport and better understand their perspectives. Traditionally, we host at least two annual retreats to strengthen team cohesion. These events not only provide entertainment but also reinforce our library’s core values and acknowledge volunteers’ contributions. Beyond monthly meetings, I conduct mid-year reviews with each team to assess their progress, address challenges, and clarify their roles within the library’s broader strategy. This structured approach ensures alignment with our vision and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
Furthermore, I founded a mentoring initiative called WeChange, through which I support individuals within the library, not only in their academic pursuits but also in their personal development. With only 9 members, I take a close, personal approach by offering free guidance whenever they need it. Recently, one member received a scholarship to study in Perth, Australia, and I helped another successfully apply for a fully funded exchange program in the U.S. last spring.
4.2 Use Positional Power to Advocate for Information Equity and Justice
In 2018, I served as a representative for private and community libraries in Vietnam, contributing to the draft of Vietnam’s Library Law. In my position as a self-taught librarian and co-founder of one of the leading community libraries in the country, I brought both lived experience and community insight to the policy discussion. I used this positional power to advocate for information equity and justice by highlighting how grassroots library founders—many of whom are volunteers without formal training—are excluded from institutional support. I emphasized the systemic barriers they face, such as limited access to government funding, lack of recognition, and bureaucratic restrictions that prevent them from serving their communities effectively. Drawing from empathy and my own experience, I made the case for policies that recognize and support the efforts of these passionate individuals. By supporting this group of individuals, we lay the foundation for the growth of community libraries across Vietnam, contributing to more equitable access to quality library services.
4.3 Apply Principles of Equity and Justice to Ensure Ethical Decision-Making
One of the initiatives I’m most proud of at our library is the annual tradition of making chung cakes and moon cakes for elderly people in our village—a program we’ve maintained since 2014. It began when I noticed that several older residents were living alone without caretakers, often overlooked and isolated. Recognizing this injustice, we felt a strong responsibility to support and honor this vulnerable group. Each year, we visit around 15 households, deliver homemade traditional cakes, and spend time talking with them. These visits often bring joy, smiles, and even tears. By sustaining this effort for over a decade, we’ve built meaningful relationships, even as some elders have passed away. To me, this small act reflects the principles of equity and justice—making sure that no one in our community feels forgotten, and that everyone is treated with care and respect.
4.4 Solve Problems Using Empathy, Evidence, and Critical and Creative Thinking
At Duong Lieu Library, the COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant challenge, leading to multiple closures between 2020 to 2022. After each reopening, we noticed a decline in patron visits. To address this, I assembled a Rapid Response Team to find solutions.
From July 2019 to January 2020, we transitioned our services online, hosting live-streamed storytelling sessions for children and organizing virtual discussions featuring local experts. One of our most successful initiatives was the “Mobile Library” project, which delivered books to 10 community houses within Duong Lieu commune. This initiative included not just book deliveries but also silhouette storytelling performances. As a result, we observed a surge in children returning to the library post-pandemic, marking a successful recovery effort.
4.5 Facilitate Communication with Users, Colleagues, and Community Stakeholders
At Duong Lieu Library, we prioritize open dialogue both internally and externally. Within the library, I encourage volunteers to actively engage with patrons. As a community library, we aim not to build a rigid professional image but rather to cultivate an approachable, family-like atmosphere while maintaining professional service standards.
Externally, we have built long-standing relationships with local schools, businesses, and government bodies through our programs and initiatives. These partnerships are reinforced through direct conversations, collaborative activities, and online engagement.
One of my recent initiatives, “Friends of Duong Lieu Library,” is modeled after similar programs in the U.S. This program fosters stronger ties with individuals and organizations within our community. In its first year, we successfully welcomed 10 members and raised approximately $2,000 for library operations.
4.6 Direct and Participate in Responsive Public Relations, Marketing, and Development
With a background in Communication and Journalism, I deeply understand the power of public relations and marketing in building strong community connections and ensuring the sustainability of a library. At Duong Lieu Library, I actively lead and participate in media engagement efforts. We have welcomed many media agencies over the years, and I always make it a point to personally meet with reporters to share honest, clear information about our mission, impact, and the broader role of community libraries in Vietnam.
I’ve been interviewed by several Vietnamese news outlets, such as VTV1, VTV3, Tuoitrnews, Vietnamnet, CafeF, Znews…etc to advocate for my library, our group of local library network. One of my proudest moments was when I was interviewed by a Syracuse University reporter, which gave me the chance to bring international attention to my librarianship journey.
In terms of marketing and development, we don’t just wait for attention but we create opportunities. For example, I use photo storytelling on our social media channels, highlighting the stories of our young readers, volunteers, and the transformation the library has brought to the village. These activities not only raise awareness but also invite others to become part of our mission. Through these efforts, I aim to make sure that our library is not just seen, but supported and sustained.
4.7 Manage Information Resources Through the Information Life Cycle
In Vietnam, where library services and programs are not consistently implemented across the country, a library’s collection is its heart and soul. From the earliest days of establishing the Duong Lieu Library, when we had just over 300 books with no specific theme, and our budget relied mainly on personal funds, it was a significant challenge for me. I came up with the initiative “one book per person” to gather books from the community and also called for support in collecting materials through various media channels. Today, we have over 15,000 books—still a modest number, but a substantial amount to us. When books are brought to the library, we have a team who assist with data entry, labeling, and classification to quickly make them available to patrons. Despite working with a non-professional team, we’ve developed our own classification system tailored to the abilities and characteristics of our main audience: children and young people.
Some initiatives I implemented in my library that contribute to the information cycle include an online book suggestion form for patrons who want certain items but cannot afford them; biannual weeding of outdated materials; and monthly acquisitions of new books despite budget constraints. Last year, with support from the Kids Need Books Project, we also donated 1,600 English books to seven community libraries across Vietnam as part of our responsibility in book distribution.
Future Plan
Understanding and applying all aspects of leadership in libraries is crucial, but what truly matters is translating these principles into practice and sharing knowledge with others. My ongoing goal is to continue learning, refining my approaches, and implementing best practices in all aspects of my work. Additionally, I am committed to mentoring and supporting other community librarians in Vietnam to help them navigate challenges and sustain their libraries for the long term.
List of program outcomes: