Theory, research, and practice in library management 4: creativity
| Date | 10 January 2008 |
| Pages | 125-131 |
| Published date | 10 January 2008 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120810844702 |
| Author | Graham Walton |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
Theory, research, and practice in
library management 4: creativity
Graham Walton
Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the relevance of creativity in the strategic
management of libraries.
Design/methodology/approach – The literature is examined to show how libraries are using
creativity in service development. There is also an exploration of various perspectives on creativity
from both library commentators and management academics. Different approaches open to library
managers to introduce creativity are examined.
Findings – The paper finds that creativity is an approach that will inform libraries develop new
services in a world where turbulent change is present. Library staff should be encouraged to bring in
ideas and intelligence from outside. Teams have to be made up of people with different skills and ideas
and they need to be encouraged to be creative. The library manager also has to take responsibility for
supporting creativity and various actions are available to him/her. These include allowing staff
freedom to make decisions and making sure the work place is as stimulating as possible.
Originality/value – The paper provides food for thought for library practitioners in the use of
creativity in developing future services
Keywords Libraries, Librarymanagement, Creative thinking,Strategic management, Innovation
Paper type Viewpoint
Introduction
The focus of this column is to explore in detail creativity within the context of library
management. Creative ideas are used to provide value and ensure unmet gaps and
needs are addressed. Innovation is the process that applies the creativity. It is wrong to
assume the drive to innovate is a recent phenomena. Indeed in the Middle Ages,
Machiavelli (n.d) stated that “there is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more
doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle, than to initiate new order of
things”. The European Union (1996) has concluded that innovation is to do with:
.renewal and enlargement of the range of products and services and the
associated markets;
.establishment of new methods of production, supply and distribution; and
.introduction of changes in management, work organization and the working
conditions and skills of the workforce.
Creativity is the process of human thought that can lead to new ideas and innovation
(Burke, 1994). Much has been written to attempt to un-ravel the differences between
creativity and innovation. One argument is that innovation is about the
implementation of new ideas and practices (Martins and Terblanche, 2003). There is
an overlap between the two as creativity is about the generation of ideas and
innovation is about the implementation (Gilson and Shalley, 2004).
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
Creativity
125
Library Management
Vol. 29 No. 1/2, 2008
pp. 125-131
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/01435120810844702
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