Article #4

"Putting Your Library "Out There."" Library Technology Reports 42.4 (2006): 63-66.


Written in a David Letterman Top 10 fashion, this article speaks to library managers looking to "put their library out there". There refers to the newest trends of Library 2.0. This new trend is a focus of many libraries struggling to find their niche in an ever changing technological world.

1. Listen To Your Staff
2. Involve Staff in Planning
3. Tell Stories
4. Be Transparent
5. Report and Debrief
6. Do Your Research
7. Manage Projects Well
8. Formally Convene the Emerging Technology Group
9. Training 2.0: Let Everyone Play and Experience
10. Celebrate Successes

Much of these examples are common management skills and long standing advice / practices. However what makes this piece stand out is its deliberate attention to Web 2.0 technologies and their impact on libraries and librarians. Examples such as IM, wikis, blogs, and photo sharing sites like Flickr and listed.

Much of the advice hinges on the involvement, interconnectedness, and communication between top level and bottom level employees. While time is a constant and forever obstacle in the networking of staff, use of 2.0 technologies can be leveraged to create opportunities for communication.

The author makes it clear that however "change" is implemented or rolled out attention must be paid to staff as they take the major brunt of the new methods. The affect while it may be subtle to some may seem like a major obstacle to others. Listening to staff as they transition and learning where and how assistance in this change can be added is essential to the success of the process.