Amazing how mission drives an organization

"I was at the ARL "Library Management Skills Institute I: The Manager" session a couple weeks ago, and it was impressed on me how dramatically the values and perspectives of librarians changed depending on their respective organizations' missions.

I work for a library which has clearly articulated a strategic plan, mission, and values which says that service is one of our core principles. This "patron-first" vision frames the way we see things, and it comes straight from our Dean.

It is in this principle of service that our Dean has justified NOT moving toward ARL status as a library. This is a significant change from the previous administration which had placed ARL status as one of the library's priorities... continue reading: Adam Wathen @ The Thinking Library

HOWTO Make a bedside book-pocket

[PS. info courtesy: Posted by Cory Doctorow @ Boing Boing - A directory of wonderful things]

Much more @ Knitty, Vintage and Rosy

THE IMPORTANCE OF ERESOURCE STATISTICS

Sarah Houghton-Jan [San Mateo County (California, USA) Library] made a good point in this post on Librarian in Black.

in
eMusic says no to DRM -and- Sarah's lesson on the importance of eResource statistics

Hint to Libraries: “Please examine your online resource statistics. When you’re shelling out thousands a pop, it wouldn’t be too much of a burden to make sure those resources are actually being used. Right? You might be surprised that the resources your staff tell you they use all the time are actually the lowest-used in your collection...or what you think might be used, based on instinct, just isn’t. At that point, you have to ask yourself why, and make adjustments in PR, staff training, staff promotion of the resources to the public, and look at the barriers to access on your website or the vendor’s site. See if the numbers rise after making some changes, but give it at least 6 months; it will take time.”

URL: http://librarianinblack.typepad.com/librarianinblack/2007/10/emusic-says-

info courtesy: Judith A. Siess @ OPL Plus (not just for OPLs anymore)