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How Libraries Make Tough Choices in Difficult Times
Purposeful Abandonment
1st Edition - February 19, 2013
Author: David Stern
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:9781843347019
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eBook ISBN:9781780633671
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Contemporary library managers face the need to make difficult choices regarding resource allocation in the modern business environment. How Libraries Make Tough Choices in…Read more
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Contemporary library managers face the need to make difficult choices regarding resource allocation in the modern business environment. How Libraries Make Tough Choices in Difficult Times is a practical guide for library managers, offering techniques to analyze existing and potential services, implement best practices for maximizing existing resources, and utilize pressing financial scenarios in order to justify making difficult reallocation decisions. The book begins by asking the fundamental questions of why, what, and how, moving on to look at how to manage expectations and report to both administration and faculty. The book then considers the four ‘D’s of Do, Delegate, Delay and Drop, before covering project management, and how to understand the mission and objectives of your organisation. The book then focuses on: service quality improvement analyses; identifying underlying issues; reviewing resources; identifying best practice; managing feedback and expectations; and looking at decision making skills and implications.
Introduces both philosophies and techniques for decision-making that will help inexperienced library managers
Provides resources for a practical orientation to new Service Quality Improvement and Project Management approaches as library managers address a wide range of resource allocation considerations
Written by a highly experienced practitioner in the field
Managers of all levels within libraries, and students and professionals in library information science
List of figures
List of case studies
Acknowledgements
About the author
Introduction
Chapter 1: Considered and effective leadership
Abstract:
Why undertake a review?
Managing expectations, not operations
Reporting to multiple masters: finding a balance of service quality and efficiencies
Involvement and understandings across the organization
The four Ds: Do, Delegate, Delay, Drop
Project management
Decision-making skills and implications
Chapter 2: Preparing for analysis
Abstract:
Failure is easy, success takes thoughtful effort
Understanding the Mission and objectives of your organization
Decide on transitional or transformative change
Emphasize an ongoing process
Continue to communicate your clear intentions
Managing operations or managing expectations
Chapter 3: A few important analysis techniques
Abstract:
Reviewing operations proactively and willingly
Beyond re-engineering
The importance of project management
Problem discovery processes
Chart goals, operations, and interests
Completing the review program
Outside factors and influences
Assessments: some initial and obvious first analysis opportunities
Chapter 4: Understanding and utilizing data and statistical reports
Abstract:
Collection and analysis of appropriate data
Evidence-based collection and analysis of appropriate data
Using data effectively
Utilizing statistics
Internal reports
Chapter 5: Environmental scans and the power of best practices
Abstract:
Steps toward identifying best practices
Performing Service Quality Improvement analyses
Case Study 10: Best practices for analytics and web interfaces
Chapter 6: Key management skills that contribute to organizational leadership and direction
Abstract:
Normal staff attention to tasks
Leadership skills
Assessment skills
The four Ds: Do, Delegate, Delay, Drop
Harness internal power
Conclusion
Appendix A: Start-up scenarios to ponder
Appendix B: Suggested readings
Index
No. of pages: 226
Language: English
Edition: 1
Published: February 19, 2013
Imprint: Chandos Publishing
Paperback ISBN: 9781843347019
eBook ISBN: 9781780633671
DS
David Stern
David Stern is the Associate Dean for Public Services at Milner Library, Illinois State University. David has degrees in Biological Sciences; History & Philosophy of Science; and Library Science, and was the founder and principal of Maximize Information. Previously Associate University Librarian for Scholarly Resources at Brown University, and Director of Science Libraries at Yale University, David taught library science graduate courses and serves as a consultant and advisor to a number of professional bodies. David served on the Board of Directors (2000-2003) and as the Chair of the Knowledge Management Division (2007-2008) of the Special Libraries Association (SLA), and as Editor of the journal Science and Technology Libraries from 2005-2007. His research interests include electronic retrieval and transmission of data and the development of end-user search systems for both local and remote hosts. He is currently working on the development of standards and cost models for federated full-text search and retrieval systems. David has many articles, several chapters, two edited special issues of Science and Technology Libraries, and a book, Guide to Information Sources in the Physical Sciences, to his credit. He is a regular speaker at conferences.
Affiliations and expertise
Associate Dean for Public Services at Milner Library, Illinois State University.
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