Library Makeover: Retooling & Re-engineering of Library Services

This presentation…

Presents the current or recent developments in library services

Explores the many ways to revise and reorganize libraries for the purpose of accommodating these changes

Recommends measures towards enhancing library resources and services to meet the challenges and opportunities of today’s libraries as resource centers

Overview

Libraries are user-centered organizations focused on patron satisfaction.

Libraries value access to information .

Information Technology has brought significant changes to Libraries.

Retooling means to revise and reorganize for the purpose of updating or improving library services.

Overview

Tremendous changes in the way people use libraries now demand innovations.

There is an urgent need to re-create a learning environment in libraries that will enhance resources, facilities, and services.

New Technologies

Automation

Online databases

CD-ROMs

Interactive Multimedia

Electronic publishing

Electronic mails /file transfers

Digitization

Networking

review present status of collection

assess strengths and weaknesses

identify unmet and emerging needs

list priorities for acquisition

Know what the library needs

Collection Development: recent developments

traditional concept of ownership is challenged by the idea of access (whether automated access to information or to information resources through document delivery or interlibrary lending) in lieu of ownership…

Collection Development: recent developments

multimedia (interactive videos) and cd-rom technology are becoming more and more attractive than prints, because they present a better alternative to reading…

Formulate short and long–term plans for collection development

Information should be collected in the most appropriate format. Usefulness, not format, is the deciding factor in acquisition.

Disseminate information on new materials for selection to clientele before acquisition

match funds with needs

set limits on spending

Enhancing your library resources

Electronic access is now the reality. More capital funds are being re-channelled to buy computer equipment, licenses and access fees to Internet. The World Wide Web presents a vast store of information, but care must be taken to determine those that are inaccurate and unverifiable.

Enhancing with Internet access

Internet: effective means of networking

value and focus is full text rather than catalog of bibliographic information

there is a more urgent need for content on the Internet

carefully explore content as the focus of cooperative

projects

Benefits from Shared Collections

Enhance library resources and services

Expand the breadth

and depth of collections

Reduce unnecessary

duplication

Reduce costs and space requirements

Maximize their use

Web harvesting

Archiving web resources

Indexing archived documents

Identification/ selection of online materials thru review sites and websites of vendors, publishers, traditional booksellers, libraries, academic institutions, etc.

Developing Online Collections

Enhanced Library Facilities

Group and individual study rooms

Computer classrooms

A variety of reading rooms , some equipped with research and e-mail stations and the rest designated for “quiet” work

A reference desk that is immediately visible as people enter the building

Enhanced Library Facilities Adaptive technology rooms with computers equipped with specialized software for people with disabilities Consultation rooms where users can meet with librarians individually and in small groups

Wireless access — bringing in user’s own laptop with libraries providing ports to access the Internet

Snack bar area with vending machines and café tables Or, Internet café lounge

Enhanced Library Facilities Browsing lounge for leisure reading Attractive Book Displays

forces of change into the workplace

political

economic

business

personal

political forces

remoteness of government from people resulting in greater instability/insecurity

demands for right to information

public pressures for access to official records

economic forces

increasing globalization of interests

more pronounced need for communication and knowledge transfer

shift from industrial-based to service-based society

business forces

high level of competition

economic recovery

government deregulation

flatter organizational structures

focus on results in achieving business/organizational aims

focus on client orientation

personal drivers of change

greater use of electronic information

integration of digital forms of communications (voice, text, video)

more flexibility in converting document forms (from text to image, voice to text, etc.)

relying less on traditional approaches

where is the workplace going ?

emphasis on personal utility tools

emphasis on team work

integration of the workplace

need for location-independent work

information anytime, anywhere, anyplace

changing workplace mix

changing workforce mix

Action Agenda to Meet the Challenges of librarianship

Redefine the role (image) of librarians

Upgrade librarians’ professionalism

Restructure library management (from hierarchical to team structure)

Redesign library work

Reinvent the library

IMAGE-BUILDING adopting the faculty-researcher model knowledge-navigators resource managers diversifying from collection development to library management systems design, and research and publications

Upgrade librarian’s professionalism * delegating non-professional work to support staff *increasing pay scale *continuing education *self-renewal

RESTRUCTURE library management * developing participatory management style *evolving semi-autonomous Workgroups *reducing the number/level of supervisors

Redesign library work