The aim of the study is to investigate the conceptions of academic library leaders’ about library leadership, library management, the best attributes for academic library leaders and the ways to develop leadership skills. A qualitative approach was used and data were collected through in-depth interviews from 15 experienced academic library leaders in Pakistan. Phenomenology was used to explore the common conceptions of the participants about library leadership, library management, smart leaders’ attributes and significant ways to develop leadership. Academic library leaders perceived that a library leader is all about being visionary and innovative, being bold, and being a knowledge worker. Majority of the participants differentiated between library leader and library manager however, others had similar conceptions about both roles. The best attributes of academic library leaders conceived by professionals are having a humanistic and charismatic personality, being a team leader, and having building relationship skills or social outreach. Humanist aspect of a leader prevails among participants’ voices and this might be an addition to the existing literature. Continuous professional development, mentorship, and being in a competitive environment are the best ways for library leadership skills development. The study would be helpful for library leaders, university management, library associations and library schools in policy making and offering of professional training and education of library leaders.

中文翻译：

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巴基斯坦高校图书馆领导的图书馆领导理念

本研究的目的是调查高校图书馆领导关于图书馆领导、图书馆管理、高校图书馆领导的最佳属性以及发展领导技能的方法的概念。使用定性方法，并通过对巴基斯坦 15 位经验丰富的学术图书馆领导进行深入访谈收集数据。现象学被用来探索参与者关于图书馆领导力、图书馆管理、聪明领导者的属性和发展领导力的重要方法的共同概念。学术图书馆领导者认为，图书馆领导者就是要有远见和创新、大胆和知识工作者。大多数参与者区分图书馆领导和图书馆经理，但其他人对这两个角色有相似的概念。专业人士认为，学术图书馆领导者的最佳品质是具有人文主义和魅力的个性、团队领导者以及建立关系技能或社交外展能力。领导者的人文主义方面在参与者的声音中盛行，这可能是对现有文献的补充。持续的专业发展、指导和处于竞争环境中是图书馆领导技能发展的最佳途径。该研究将有助于图书馆领导、大学管理层、图书馆协会和图书馆学校制定政策以及提供图书馆领导的专业培训和教育。并具有建立关系技能或社交外展能力。领导者的人文主义方面在参与者的声音中盛行，这可能是对现有文献的补充。持续的专业发展、指导和处于竞争环境中是图书馆领导技能发展的最佳途径。该研究将有助于图书馆领导、大学管理层、图书馆协会和图书馆学校制定政策以及提供图书馆领导的专业培训和教育。并具有建立关系技能或社交外展能力。领导者的人文主义方面在参与者的声音中盛行，这可能是对现有文献的补充。持续的专业发展、指导和处于竞争环境中是图书馆领导技能发展的最佳途径。该研究将有助于图书馆领导、大学管理层、图书馆协会和图书馆学校制定政策以及提供图书馆领导的专业培训和教育。