Avoiding the Idea GraveyardCreating Lasting Change in Libraries

Avoiding the Idea GraveyardCreating Lasting Change in Libraries

Meredith G. FarkasMeredith G. Farkas

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wimmulder/7609964/

The road to the graveyard is paved with good intentions

The road to the graveyard is paved with good intentions

http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilsingapore/5474180800/

We really need to do these Web 2.0 things all the

other libraries are doing

_____has been so successful at the ___ library; we should

do it here too.

Blogs

Netflix-like borrowing

Patron-drivenacquisitions

Facebook

Twitter

I think our library really needs

to do ___ to be relevant to our patrons. Don’t worry, I’ll

handle everything.

So, I’m going to need

you to start doing ___, ok?

This will be the bestlibrary blog ever!

So what’s the problem?So what’s the problem?

Why does it fail?Why does it fail?

•The service or technology is not tied to the library’s mission or strategic goals

•It’s considered someone’s “pet project”•Services where the only cost is staff time are often not planned for strategically

•Once the newness wears off, people are less motivated to contribute

•Staff are not given dedicated time to work on new initiatives

Characteristics of effective initiativesCharacteristics of

effective initiatives

They know their usersThey know their users

http://docushare.lib.rochester.edu/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-4436

http://www.slideshare.net/charbooth/if-you-build-it-will-they-care-1159058

Have clearly-defined goalsHave clearly-defined goals

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ekkebus/5020840511/

Initiatives are tied to Institutional goals

Initiatives are tied to Institutional goals

Involve staff from all levels in planning

Involve staff from all levels in planning

http://flickr.com/photos/weesmalldoll/432578986/

Plan for the continued use and maintenance of tech

Plan for the continued use and maintenance of tech

http://flickr.com/photos/stshores24/488419188/

Treat technology as toolsTreat technology as tools

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zakh/337938459

And use them to solve problemsAnd use them to solve problems

http://www.seedwiki.com/?wiki=antioch_university_new_england_library_staff_training_and_support_wiki

Create PartnershipsCreate Partnerships

Create PartnershipsCreate Partnerships

Time must be devoted to the ProjectTime must be devoted to the Project

http://flickr.com/photos/cayusa/2574029855/

Assess, assess, assess!Assess, assess, assess!http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardstowey/3032598054/

Building organizational capacity for 2.0

initiatives

Building organizational capacity for 2.0

initiatives

Question everythingQuestion everythinghttp://flickr.com/photos/scampion/1500054745/

Look for good ideas everywhere!Look for good ideas everywhere!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevenjude/848723658/

Encourage staff to learn and playEncourage staff to learn and play

Develop a risk-tolerant cultureDevelop a risk-tolerant culture

http://flickr.com/photos/tollaksen/967960/

Beware the culture of perfectBeware the culture of perfect

http://flickr.com/photos/unloveable/2401166750

Be agile, don’t get attachedBe agile, don’t get attached

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevenjude/848723658/

Give staff time to be creativeGive staff time to be creative

Encourage Network-buildingEncourage Network-building

Encourage Network-buildingEncourage Network-building

Are we there yet?Are we there yet?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/quirky/3151208015

Questions?Find me at

meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress

mgfarkas (at) gmail.comflickr, twitter: librarianmerfacebook: meredithfarkas

Questions?Find me at

meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress

mgfarkas (at) gmail.comflickr, twitter: librarianmerfacebook: meredithfarkas

Slides and links athttp://meredithfarkas.wetpaint.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/trucolorsfly/2401196653/