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Special Libraries 2006

Special Libraries 2006. Change and Challenges in the Digital Environment Bruce Rosenstein/USA TODAY May 15, 2006. New Models For Special Libraries. Virtual Libraries Embedded Librarians Distributed access of databases Ask a librarian/virtual reference

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Special Libraries 2006

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  1. Special Libraries 2006 Change and Challenges in the Digital Environment Bruce Rosenstein/USA TODAY May 15, 2006

  2. New Models For Special Libraries • Virtual Libraries • Embedded Librarians • Distributed access of databases • Ask a librarian/virtual reference • Organizers of competitive intelligence

  3. Why Are Special Libraries Being Closed? • Failure at the basics of the profession • Lack of trust on the part of patrons and funders • Tunnel vision/closed thinking (theirs and ours) • Institutions can close or drastically change their libraries at a moment's notice

  4. What Can You Do Better Than Your Patrons? • The users of special libraries often like doing their own research…. • But can they do it better than librarians? • Should they be doing their own research? • Earn your respect: don’t worry about the “image of the profession” • Ask yourself: Why am I on the payroll?

  5. Going Beyond Google • Where do books fit into our research in the Google age? • Must have command of a variety of online and printed resources • Be creative in finding information • Need for targeted research • Become a catalyst for new knowledge

  6. Marketing is a Must • All libraries and librarians must market their services • Think of creative, tasteful marketing opportunities • Explore partnerships with other organizations • Make sure patrons are aware that you can make their work easier and more effective

  7. The Curious Incident of the One Person Library… • Special libraries are one of the few institutions with a tradition of the lone professional expected to do everything • How can this be accomplished without being consumed by “busy work”?

  8. Outsourcing: Friend or Foe? • Special libraries have been outsourcing – and being outsourced -- long before most people knew what it was • Especially the case in government libraries

  9. What Makes a Special Library Great? • Wide representation of online resources • The best print resources (under the circumstances)…print is not a growth area • Librarians who are knowledgeable, creative, committed to continuous learning • Librarians who display emotional intelligence • Librarians who thrive in an information-rich, time-poor environment

  10. Final thoughts… • Everyone, and every institution, is threatened these days. Libraries and librarians are no different • Learn more about special libraries at www.sla.org • Attend the SLA annual conference in Baltimore next month

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