Entrepreneurial approaches to library services of the Future As the world of librarianship is evolving rapidly to incorporate ever expanding emerging technologies, the need to innovatively embrace strategic approaches to information access and delivery has become crucial than ever before. Social engagement, knowledge creation and information sharing are becoming instrumental in global partnership traversing across the information world. The questions arise: what are those different traits that the librarians need to learn and apply in order to succeed in the changing landscape? How can those skills be acquired? Entrepreneurial librarianship can motivate librarians to envision new ways of providing services to their clients. This presentation also highlights some of those traits and how they can influence today's libraries to create innovative service delivery models aimed at benefiting their clients. By focusing on dreams, data collection and analysis, innovation and forward thinking, librarians must explore futuristic needs of their communities in order to envision ways of delivering solutions. The presentation will provide examples of Entrepreneurial approaches used in areas such as: Physical and digital space Liaison roles Teaching Research Future of reference I will also address the crucial importance of collaborating with the other subject area librarians as Interdisciplinary focus has gained tremendous momentum among institutions. Partnerships and collaborations are also the crucial components of entrepreneurial librarianship.

1. Jay Bhatt
Liaison Librarian for Engineering
Drexel University

2. 
New research initiatives in institutions, universities and
organizations worldwide
◦ Multidisciplinary Fields: Nanomedicine, Entrepreneurship,
Business and Technology, Translational Research and many
more
◦ More research being done and more expected
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Innovation…Innovation…Innovation
◦ (Researchers) Knowledge of information necessary to enhance information literacy
skills
◦ (Librarians) need to keep updated with current developments in their institutions
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Envision new ways of providing services to foster creative and
learning environments

5. ◦ Vision document that defines ‘strategy of the library’
that supports its mission. Focus on future growth and
development.
(Source: The Entrepreneurial Librarian, p.33)
◦ Drexel University Libraries Strategic Plan: 2012-2017
◦ Some features include:
 Utilize evidence of client expectations for excellence and other
data to manage the Libraries – What do they need?
 Introduce learners to information in scholarship that is unknown
to them. – How do they about new scholarship?
 Support teachers’ efforts to equip students with information
literacy skills to delve into the scholarship of their major.
◦ Source: http://www.library.drexel.edu/blogs/newsevents/files/2012/06/StrategicPlan-Brochure-PDF.pdf

7. 
Institutional needs are changing fast.
◦ New programs and courses
 distance education
 Collaborative, team based, global research and
educational partnerships
 Change from traditional approaches required
◦ How do we envision new ways of successful library
partnerships?
 Can we apply Entrepreneurial traits?
 But then what are these traits?

8. 
The key to a librarian's success: developing entrepreneurial
traits (Tofty, 2002) provide some examples such traits. These
include:
◦ User relations, innovative thinking, and people management:
passion
◦ Creativity
◦ Flexibilty
◦ Self Confidence
◦ Enthusiasm
◦ Persistence
◦ Responsibility
(Toftoy, C. N. (2002). The key to a librarian's sucess: Developing entrepreneurial traits.
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1320182565?accountid=10559)
Information Outlook (U.S.A.), 6(6), 42-4, 47. Retrieved from
Other important traits: Social entreprenership, Leadership, Risk taking, Energetic,
Dynamic, Flexible, Forward thinking, Visionary, Customer focus, Keeping current with new
developments, Groupwork, Collaboration

9. 
Making connections and develop
relationships
◦ Be creative, enthusiastic and persistent
◦ Be flexible. Try new approaches (social events,
lunch meetings, coffee table conversations, etc.)

Faculty members highlight resources in their
classes – Collaboration
◦ Faculty members demonstrate the value of
information research using databases.
◦ Collaboration with librarians
◦ Students learn by examples

10. 
Connections (Reaching out to your
customers)
◦ Campus Walks – make new connections
◦ Social Networks
◦ Faculty meetings
 Increase awareness of resources and services

Networking with student associations
◦
◦
◦
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Drexel Neural Engineering
Drexel Robotics club
Society of Women Engineers
Engineering Graduate Student Association
Drexel IEEE student chapters

11. ◦ Interact with faculty and students
◦ One small informal conversation can be an
informative experience
◦ Faculty meetings
 Interactive conversations to show electronic tools,
blogs and research guides
 Research and consultation support through course
management systems
 Collection requests for books, journals and
 Requests for information sessions

15. 
Graduate Student Lounge
◦
◦
◦
◦
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A new space for graduate students
Office hours set up for consultations
Laptop and mobile phones
Teaching information skills on devices
An opportunity to make connections
Conversations help gauge student
information needs
◦ Develop strategies to help with their needs

17. 
Liaisons for math, science, engineering,
health sciences, and media arts & design are
experimenting different strategies for
embedding their expertise:
◦ Coaching to biology and environmental science
graduate and undergraduate students near their
lounge.
◦ Health sciences librarians routinely participate in
weekly and monthly departmental meetings of the
programs.
◦ Faculty, residents, students, and staff from many
areas interact and provide feedback
◦
(Source: http://www.library.drexel.edu/blogs/node/4297)

25. 
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Thank you!
Would love to learn more from your
experiences
Applicable to all disciplines
Thoughts and questions
Jay Bhatt
 Liaison Librarian for Engineering
http://www.library.drexel.edu/engineering
 bhattjj@drexel.edu
 215-895-1873
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