Staff-Less Libraries

Staff-Less Libraries
Author: Carl Gustav Johannsen
Publisher: Chandos Publishing
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2017-02-28
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0081019246

Staff-Less Libraries: Innovative Staff Design considers the challenges of this approach, its pros and cons, identifies international experiences, and discusses best practices. It presents a step-by-step approach to implementing a staffless library and/or services, and seeks to inspire professionals to share experiences and optimize their library. Staff-less public libraries, enabled by technological developments, represent a significant and innovative aspect of the development of public libraries. The concept radically enlarges the availability of user access to public libraries. Some Danish public library branches have, for example, increased their weekly opening hours from 20 to 80 hours per week. In Denmark, the concept has been quite successful, increasing the number of staff-less libraries from 81 public library units in 2011 to 260 in 2014. From a longer view, however, the staff-less library concept contributes to the modernization of public libraries by further opening the library. Many library professionals have been surprised by the near absence of vandalism through the staffl-ess opening hours. According to the latest trend, the staffless library model is gradually moving from thinly populated rural areas and suburban neighborhoods to urban contexts. This book explores the concept, hence furthering the debate. Presents and considers the idea of staff-less libraries using evidence-based data Considers the challenges, pros, and cons of the staff-less library Identifies international experiences, best practices, and draws out a step-by-step approach to implementation

The Dysfunctional Library

The Dysfunctional Library
Author: Jo Henry
Publisher: American Library Association
Total Pages: 216
Release: 2018-12-18
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0838916236

Frankly, it’s not something we like to talk about. There is an unfortunate stigma to acknowledging workplace dysfunction, let alone trying to grapple with the problem. But negative behaviors such as incivility, toxicity, deviant behavior, workplace politics, and team and leadership dysfunction not only make the library a stressful workplace, they also run counter to the core values of librarianship. An important tool for library leaders and managers as well as library staff, this book examines these negative relationship-based issues and suggests practical, research-based solutions by discussing the importance of understanding oneself as related to the library workplace;identifying attributes specific to libraries that foster personal success;showing how organizational dysfunction is rooted in problems such as poor communication, inadequate leadership, and lack of employee engagement;breaking down relatable scenarios to analyze what’s behind them and how to defuse them, ranging from a gossipy coworker who fails to contribute to the organization to workplace bullying and mobbing;exploring causes, results, and potential solutions in the areas of cyberloafing, fraud, theft, and sabotage;delving into the importance of conflict management, surveying a variety of approaches and applications;examining the use of teams in libraries and the impact of favoritism, nepotism, and sexism; andproviding techniques for successful collaboration, leadership, organizational communication, and other key management topics. By tackling the dysfunctional library head on, managers as well as library workers who find themselves in a toxic situation will be poised to better meet library goals and move the library forward.

Helping the Difficult Library Patron

Helping the Difficult Library Patron
Author: Linda S Katz
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 314
Release: 2013-10-31
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1317951816

This insightful book shows you how to deal with an issue as old as the library profession: interacting with problem patrons. It looks at this fact of life that affects almost every facet of library work and provides practical solutions--some developed within the field and some borrowed from other professions--that will improve reference services for those you serve and make the work of your library staff less stressful, more productive, and increasingly meaningful. Helping the Difficult Library Patron: New Approaches to Examining and Resolving a Long-Standing and Ongoing Problem examines: the nature of the problem from historical and demographic perspectives ways of dealing with the problem in academic and public libraries competency-based training techniques that will empower your frontline staff the impact of new technologies such as cellular phones and the Internet and ways of dealing with the new breeds of difficult patrons that come with them solutions from our colleagues what we can learn from the perspectives of others--psychotherapists, businesspeople, and corporate managers--you even get a Zen Buddhist viewpoint! effective ways to utilize community resources such as campus and local police and much, much more! Nowhere in the library literature have so many practitioners and educators combined their efforts to examine and provide solutions to this ageless problem. Library administrators, staff, and educators will find Helping the Difficult Library Patron a matchless resource!

Libraries, Digital Information, and COVID

Libraries, Digital Information, and COVID
Author: David Baker
Publisher: Chandos Publishing
Total Pages: 422
Release: 2021-07-02
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0323905986

COVID-19 is profoundly affecting the ways in which we live, learn, plan, and develop. What does COVID-19 mean for the future of digital information use and delivery, and for more traditional forms of library provision? Libraries, Digital Information, and COVID gives immediate and long-term solutions for librarians responding to the challenge of COVID-19. The book helps library leaders prepare for a post-COVID-19 world, giving guidance on developing sustainable solutions. The need for sustainable digital access has now become acute, and while offering a physical space will remain important, current events are likely to trigger a shift toward off-site working and study, making online access to information more crucial. Libraries have already been providing access to digital information as a premium service. New forms and use of materials all serve to eliminate the need for direct contact in a physical space. Such spaces will come to be predicated on evolving systems of digital information, as critical needs are met by remote delivery of goods and services. Intensified financial pressure will also shape the future, with a reassessment of information and its commercial value. In response, there will be a massification of provision through increased cooperation and collaboration. These significant transitions are driving professionals to rethink and question their identities, values, and purpose. This book responds to these issues by examining the practicalities of running a library during and after the pandemic, answering questions such as: What do we know so far? How are institutions coping? Where are providers placing themselves on the digital/print and the remote/face-to-face continuums? This edited volume gives analysis and examples from around the globe on how libraries are managing to deliver access and services during COVID-19. This practical and thoughtful book provides a framework within which library directors and their staff can plan sustainable services and collections for an uncertain future. Focuses on the immediate practicalities of service provision under COVID-19 Considers longer-term strategic responses to emerging challenges Identifies key concerns and problems for librarians and library leaders Analyzes approaches to COVID-19 planning Presents and examines exemplars of best practice from around the world Offers practical models and a useful framework for the future

Library Technology and Digital Resources

Library Technology and Digital Resources
Author: Marie Keen Shaw
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 249
Release: 2015-11-12
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1442256451

In the last decade library collections have rapidly evolved from a predominance of print books and journals to an ever growing mix of digital and print resources. Library patrons are predominately served by support staff that is expected to know how to help patrons select and use digital resources. Yet most library support staff (LSS) has not had training to become proficient in finding, using, and instructing others in the abundance of the digital resources of websites, databases, e-texts, digital libraries and their related technologies. Library Technology and Digital Resources: An Introduction for Support Staff is both a text for professors who teach in library support staff programs and an introductory reference manual for support staff who work in libraries. This book will guide the LSS to be able to: Distinguish key features and enhancements found among vendors and providers of digital libraries, digital collections, databases, and e-texts; Plan, budget, fund and write grants for digital resources; Understand the complexity and options of licensing and usage agreements for digital resources; Know copyright permissions and acceptable use guidelines for digital resources. Understand the basic technologies that support library digital resources including network structures, software applications, and protocols; Distinguish between directories and search engines as they relate to digital resources as well as be able to employ advance search skills effectively; Explore the resources of global, national, and state digital libraries and their collections; Use government databases and other digitized systems and information sources; Find exemplary digital resources though other agencies such as museums, university collections and other sources that librarians can share with patrons. Create local digital resources of primary and historical materials and artifacts with metadata and cataloging for searchable access. Interpret meaning from library digital resources using visual literacy skills. Promote library digital resources through a variety of means including social media and online options.

Survey of Public Library Efforts to Enhance Productivity Through Information Technology

Survey of Public Library Efforts to Enhance Productivity Through Information Technology
Author: Primary Research Group
Publisher: Primary Research Group Inc
Total Pages: 106
Release: 2014
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1574402951

The study looks closely particularly at how public libraries use computer programming and programmers, both librarians schooled in programming and IT staff programmers. The report gives detailed data on how libraries are automating website management, book check out, accounts payable and other areas. It looks at how libraries are avoiding the repetitive re-keying of information, improving staff communications and making sure that skills are passed from one employee to another, and other useful productivity measures. The study also presents detailed quantitative data on the extent to which libraries are using key programming languages such as PHP, PERL, JAVA, C++, Drupal, Python and others. The study also gives data on spending on outside computer consulting and programming services, the extent of use of staff programmers, and licensing of computer code. Data in the 100+ page report is broken out by size of library service area and size of library staff, mean per capita household income of library service area and also for libraries that employ programmers and those that do not, and for libraries that use outside programmers or consultants and those that do not.

An Introduction To Staff Development In Academic Libraries

An Introduction To Staff Development In Academic Libraries
Author: Elizabeth Connor
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 280
Release: 2009-03-01
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1135694699

An indispensable resource for librarians of all roles, the case studies in An Introduction to Staff Development in Academic Libraries demonstrate the necessity and value of integrating the library's mission statement and strategic plan with bold approaches to staff orientation, training, mentoring, and development.

The Library Staff Development Handbook

The Library Staff Development Handbook
Author: Mary Grace Flaherty
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 155
Release: 2017-08-08
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1442270373

The Library Staff Development Handbook: How to Maximize Your Library’s Most Important Resource provides practical tips, suggestions for resources, and concrete examples for addressing the multiple and varied aspects of staff development. From crafting a job description to recruitment, hiring and retention, and from progressive discipline and succession planning to continuing education, performance appraisals, and the importance of workplace fun, this handbook can serve as a companion for managers, supervisors and library staff as they negotiate the challenging range of staffing issues and the opportunities they provide in the library setting.

Transforming Medical Library Staff for the Twenty-First Century

Transforming Medical Library Staff for the Twenty-First Century
Author: Melanie J. Norton
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 165
Release: 2017-12-20
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1442272201

The services provided by the twenty-first century medical library are evolving, from circulating print materials, interlibrary loan, and traditional reference desk services to services like in depth literature searches, systematic reviews, and research impact studies. To support these changing services, the medical library must re-evaluate, reassess and redeploy its staff, providing them with new opportunities to grow and develop in new areas to support the evolving needs of the library. However, staff cannot be expected to embrace new roles without buy in, training and without developing a plan for assessing whether or not they are successful in their new roles. Transforming Medical Library Staff for the Twenty-First Century focuses on how the medical library can redeploy its staff to support these new services through actively engaging and empowering them in the process. This book shares best practices in developing and motivating staff to accept and welcome the changing priorities of medical libraries.