Assertiveness for Library Managers (LA Training Package Series)

This comprehensive package forms part of the LA's training package series and is designed to be used as a resource for in‐house assertiveness training. It purports to include everything needed to run a training event‐ trainer's notes, detailed trainer tasks, syndicate exercises, sample OHP's and handouts.

The pack does stand up to these claims and contains enough material to run a two‐day course. The contents are divided into logical sections as follows. Day 1 includes topics such as “Defining behaviour”, “Effects of behaviour”, “Why we behave as we do” and “An introduction to TA”. Day 2 includes “Skills and techniques of assertive behaviour”, “Types of assertive behaviour”, “Staying assertive in difficult situations”, “Developing assertive behaviour” and “Review and evaluation”. All the sections contain examples and mini case studies that would be an invaluable asset on a training day.

The book is quite useful and practical with some amusing touches, e.g. “Do not become angry or argue with the delegates” listed under “Tips and techniques for running a successful event!”. A useful addition is the delegate evaluation form.

The layout was exceptionally clear, written in a friendly style and very easy to use. The practical exercises were good and very realistic. The “Transactional analysis” section was thorough without being patronising.

Overall an interesting package, which was well written and would be an asset to a trainer. A second book dealing with more difficult situations would allow for more detailed cases of assertiveness and more detailed analysis. However, as an introduction and an initial training guide, this is an excellent tool. Alas, the price of £545.00 would be a very expensive outlay for most libraries although no doubt this would be seen as an investment and could be regained through the fee payment for an external two‐day event.