Category FAQs Search : Carbon Footprint
Question: Sustainability: What Does it Mean for You and for Your Library?
Answer: In a study conducted by Kim and Yu in 2011, the researchers found many library directors equated sustainability with mere survival. This chapter intends to move the conversation from library and information centers that merely survive to those that thrive. Additionally, it aims to move those libraries that follow a seemingly historical mandate to provide access to books and articles only, to those that ensure their sustainability by meeting the needs of their customers (in whatever way they define the term customer) through the delivery of results and a measurable return on investment (ROI).
In a day and age when school libraries (Rosales, 2011) and corporate information centers (Helfer, 1998) in the United States are being defunded and some public libraries in the United Kingdom (Flood, 2016) are facing severe financial cutbacks, it might be easy for one to jump to the thought of mere survival as being enough. However, a weakened library or information center is even more of a primary target for elimination. Whereas a library or information center that is contributing to the goals of its parent-organization (be that a municipality, school district, university, nonprofit organization, or company) in tangible and measurable ways is one that will not only stave off elimination, but will in fact secure even greater funding and support. After all, “successful libraries are those that align their services to meet their parent-organization’s strategic direction” (Matarazzo & Pearlstein, 2015).
Additionally, a library that thrives will positively affect the members of its municipal, academic, or organizational community in very helpful ways. Ways in which its knowledge workers can take great pride.
When looking at building a sustainable library one should first look to the parent-organization’s strategic plan (i.e., its mission, vision, values, and goals). The library’s management team, leader, or librarian should gauge how the library’s current offerings help achieve components of that strategic plan. Additionally, the library team should consider what library-aligned service offering could be added to help turn the strategic plan into reality.
(Source: , 25 Aug 2021)
Source Link: https://doi-org.onlinedatabase.librarynet.com.my/10.1108/978-1-78714-525-220171009