Strategies for sustainable services in academic libraries

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/LM-05-2016-0038
Pages298-307
Date08 August 2016
Published date08 August 2016
AuthorDianne Cmor
Subject MatterLibrary & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion
Strategies for sustainable
services in academic libraries
Dianne Cmor
Library, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore distinctive yet simple strategies for sustainability in
academic libraries focussing on structured communication templates for stakeholders, pre-planned
daily programming, and regularized, self-sustaining staff development.
Design/methodology/approach Case study of unique strategies implemented at Nanyang
Technological University Libraries.
Findings Each of the three strategies has been successfully launched though they are at various
stages of maturity. The first two strategies (structured communication templates and daily
programming) have been implemented quite recently, whereas the staff development programme has
been running for some time. Findings indicate that sustainability in all of these cases is directly linked
to good planning which either minimizes daily, weekly or monthly work, and/or helps to clarify goals
and focus action.
Practical implications These strategies are feasible, transferable, malleable, and impactful such that
other academic librarieswith varying staffing structures can adoptand adjust them to their localneeds.
Originality/value Implementing simple sustainable services and strategies can have real impact
and can provide alternatives to large-scale projects that may be too resource intensive for many to
undertake on a regular basis.
Keywords Professional development, Staff development, Library value, Sustainability,
Academic libraries, Library assessment, Academic library programming
Paper type Case study
Introduction
Academic library services, like many sectors in todays work environments, are under
constant pressure to change quickly, expand to meet new needs/expectations, and
clearly demonstrate value and impact to stakeholders. Higher education is undergoing
transformational change in the areas of technology enabled and self-directed learning,
expanding requirem ents and opportuniti es for the dissemination o f research
outputs, and a growing emphasis on campus culture in order to differentiate
on-campus and off-campus educational choices. Libraries have both new expectations
and new possibilities growing out of these changes, and are also still in the midst of
transformational changes that have come about as a result of still relatively new digital
environments. Of course, this is all happening in an environment of stagnant or
shrinking human resource budgets. How can academic libraries meet challenges and
take advantage of opportunities with limited staff?
Broadly speaking, sustainability is associated with terms such as endurance,
longevity, efficiency, scalability, and value. Business sustainability is defined by the
Financial Times Lexicon as represent[ing] resiliency over timewherein sustainable
businesses can adapt to environmental shocks and contribute value to their
communities (http://lexicon.ft.com). With respect to library sustainability, Anglada
(2014) states that [s]ustainability is the capacity to endure over timeand libraries are
sustained by people who believe, feel, intuit or think that libraries are important to
them. Munro (2011) suggests that ecological resilience is a theory of sustainability that
Library Management
Vol. 37 No. 6/7, 2016
pp. 298-307
©Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-05-2016-0038
Received 2 May 2016
Accepted 25 May 2016
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
298
LM
37,6/7

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT