New Routes to Library Success : 100+ Ideas from Outside the Stacks.

ISBN:

9780838913192

Title:

Author:

Doucett, Elisabeth.

Personal Author:

Doucett, Elisabeth.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (257 pages)

Contents:

New Routes to Library Success: 100+ Ideas from Outside the Stacks -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Chapter 1: The Process -- Chapter 2: Entrepreneurship -- Chapter 3: Creativity -- Chapter 4: The Extraordinary in the Ordinary -- Chapter 5: Advocates for the Creators -- Chapter 6: Customer Service -- Chapter 7: Trend Tracking -- Chapter 8: Learning Your Community -- Chapter 9: Creating a Great Workplace -- Chapter 10: Content Curation -- Chapter 11: Unconventional Thinking -- Index.

Local Note:

Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, 2019. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries.

Subject Term:

Businesspeople -- Interviews.;Creative ability in business -- Case studies.;Curtis Memorial Library (Brunswick, Me.).;Entrepreneurship -- Case studies.;Libraries -- Customer services.;Libraries and community.;Organizational change.;Organizational effectiveness.

Added Author:

Doucett, Elisabeth.

Format:

Electronic Resources

Electronic Access:

Click here to view book

Publication Date:

2015

Publication Information:

American Library Association,

2015.

Available:*

Shelf Number	Material Type	Copy	Shelf Location	Status
025.1025.1974	1:E-BOOK	1	1:ON-DEMAND	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Today's library leaders face a world in which the only constant is change. Seeking out innovative ways to meet the evolving needs of their communities has become a critical part of their responsibilities.In this book, Doucett mines new territory in this ongoing effort by exploring how successful organizations "outside the stacks" conduct their business. She interviews leaders of advertising, online commerce, fundraising, retailing, crowdsourcing and other organizations (including Kickstarter, L.L. Bean, Down East Magazine and Tom's of Maine, among others), learning what they do exceptionally well. From this research she presents more than 100 examples of game-changing ideas ready for application in libraries. And most importantly, she articulates a simple process that readers can use to pursue the same path of exploration at their own institutions, including the actual questions used during her interviews.An exciting survey of creativity in action, Doucett's book will encourage public library directors, managers, trustees, and staff to cross-pollinate their own expertise with innovative ideas from outside the stacks.

Reviews (2)

Booklist Review

This volume is a compilation of easy and practical ideas that will be helpful for librarians who either find themselves in a professional rut or are looking to take it to the next level. In her quest for transformative ideas, Doucett canvasses 10 major focus areas from a variety of private-sector organizations and businesses, covering entrepreneurship, customer service, trend tracking, and unconventional thinking. Each chapter is drawn from an interview with a professional (including top employees from Kickstarter, L. L. Bean, and Tom's of Maine) and is concluded by a helpful Big Ideas from This Interview section that provides a sufficient overview. The volume is a handy, largely intuitive reference that, in focusing in on patrons as consumers, serves as both a stimulus for new paths and a methodology for canvassing one's own local community and patrons.--Odom, Brian Copyright 2015 Booklist

Library Journal Review

In her search for ideas to jump start library services, Doucett (director, Curtis Memorial Lib., Brunswick, ME; What They Don't Teach You at Library School) interviewed local business leaders and gathered their best ideas. Kickstarter, L.L. Bean, Trendwatching.com, Down East Magazine, and Tom's of Maine are just some of the companies represented. According to Doucett, libraries should be able to test and fail more, and quickly experiment to determine what works. Could libraries provide employees paid time to do creative research and offer them several hours a month to volunteer in their community? There is a lot here for library staff to mull over about customer service and trendspotting. Each chapter lists the questions asked, the big ideas from the interview, a summary of what the author learned, and a list of additional resources. The book is mercifully light on jargon but public librarians could use more suggestions on dealing with library boards, politicians, and funding sources. VERDICT A selection of solid ideas on library leadership is served up with enthusiasm in this useful volume. Readers can emulate the author and interview business managers in their own communities, or use her takeaways.-Susan Belsky, Oshkosh P.L., WI © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.