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You're Not Special
June 18, 2007
Libraries have been automating their procedures for decades. And yet we are still far from maximizing the benefits of automation in our internal procedures.
We do not have one method or mechanism for acquiring materials. We still have different ways of "marking and parking" -- some of which are disturbingly manual and time-intensive. Although we share cataloging records, too many of our libraries believe themselves to be unique enough to justify adding additional headings, or changing the classification, or other expensive record adjustments that may or may not be justified by their impact on user experience.
These and more are all inefficiencies that must be squeezed out of our systems. Because if they are not, we will never have the resources to focus on things that really matter.
We can begin to address this on several fronts -- individually, organizationally, and cooperatively.
Individually, we can think critically about everything we do on a regular basis. Whenever you find yourself doing the same kind of thing repeatedly, think critically about it. Can it be done differently, or not at all? Is there a way outsource it (for example, buying shelf-ready books), or streamline it, or do it more efficiently? In particular, can you think of ways that you could collaborate with other libraries in your area or beyond (see below) to create efficiencies?
Organizationally, we can look together at the activities we spend our time doing and investigate other ways of getting those things done, or even determine whether they need to be done at all. Clearly this calls for imaginative and critical thinking at an organizational scale, which is admittedly challenging.
Cooperatively we can discuss where inefficiencies are found within our organizations and work together to create more efficient workflows, standards, and procedures.
So I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but you're less special than you think. We are all doing many of the same things, mostly in our own idiosyncratic ways, and we need to stop it. We need to become much more efficient than we are today -- both individually and collectively so we can better meet our goals and fulfill our missions. It's time to get over our uniqueness and start getting seriously in tune with our sameness.
Posted by Roy Tennant on June 18, 2007 | Comments (2)
