It's possible someone has already blogged on this topic as i am pathetically slow in getting these things done.
Librarian.net recently posted on "are librarians innovators? do libraries innovate?" and i like to think it echoes one of my previous blogs.
"However, when you’re the only free internet in town, taking a step like offering free wifi when the library is closed, or having a way that people can use your computers to download ebooks checked out from other libraries in other states seems pretty innovative indeed."
Such innovations seem to represent little work on the place of the administration (unless of course you have a very conservative Board of Directors), but could greatly improve service and library use. It probably goes without saying that improving library use would also lead to a increase in circ, among other things. So why aren't they doing it?
Perhaps innovation isn't necessary to keeping your library alive, but it certainly can't hurt. Probably the biggest culture shock a western experiences when visiting Japan is being dumb struck by the sheer amount of constant innovation, in industry the U.S. hasn't even looked at in decades. It's silly. Everything from super-intelligent toilets to ferris wheel parking garages hidden in old buildings to cafes where you can get cozy and are encouraged to fall asleep reading manga you haven't paid for...?! Well, suffice it to say western innovation is... found wanting.
i want to believe the biggest road block against western innovation is simple resistance to change. i find it very hard to believe that U.S., Canadian and U.K. research and development departments are simply not as creative as those in Japan. It is our economies simply are not equipped to pour much money into reinventing the wheel. Though, legislature is always opting for new methodologies like the recent bill for Stem Cell Research.
If libraries could jump on the innovating bandwagon and have our industry lead others into the 21st century, why wouldn't we?
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2 comments:
I think that you have hit the nail on the head. Funding is huge. Libraries and schools are in a similar boat in this regard. Schools now tend to say, "Make your classes rigorous and relevant to the students, but... don't spend any money." I can imagine that it is the same with libraries... Just because there are great ideas for how to serve patrons better does not mean that the funds will be used to support those ideas. I don't know if I can say that anyone in particular is at fault. We can blame any number of people or issues. I think OSS is a perfect example of being innovative without being expensive. The coolest thing is that some people out there actually recognize the need for inexpensive, innovative technology and are working towards enhancing it.
Change can be difficult and it often takes "paradigm-shifters" to envision innovations and show the leadership necessary to help make them happen. Some change may involve additional funds but creative ideas don't necessarily come with a price tag. In fact, as experience in the business world has shown, NOT being innovative can cost some organizations dearly--in some cases their very existence.
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