how libraries make tough choices in difficult times: purposeful abandonment

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This article was downloaded by: [University of Connecticut] On: 10 October 2014, At: 09:38 Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK Australian Academic & Research Libraries Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/uarl20 How Libraries Make Tough Choices in Difficult Times: Purposeful Abandonment Leith Robinson a a Curtin University Published online: 28 Feb 2014. To cite this article: Leith Robinson (2014) How Libraries Make Tough Choices in Difficult Times: Purposeful Abandonment, Australian Academic & Research Libraries, 45:1, 67-68, DOI: 10.1080/00048623.2014.888978 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00048623.2014.888978 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms- and-conditions

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This article was downloaded by: [University of Connecticut]On: 10 October 2014, At: 09:38Publisher: RoutledgeInforma Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registeredoffice: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK

Australian Academic & ResearchLibrariesPublication details, including instructions for authors andsubscription information:http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/uarl20

How Libraries Make Tough Choicesin Difficult Times: PurposefulAbandonmentLeith Robinsona

a Curtin UniversityPublished online: 28 Feb 2014.

To cite this article: Leith Robinson (2014) How Libraries Make Tough Choices in DifficultTimes: Purposeful Abandonment, Australian Academic & Research Libraries, 45:1, 67-68, DOI:10.1080/00048623.2014.888978

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00048623.2014.888978

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE

Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the“Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis,our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as tothe accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinionsand views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors,and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Contentshould not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sourcesof information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims,proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoeveror howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to orarising out of the use of the Content.

This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Anysubstantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing,systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms &Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions

BOOK REVIEWS

How Libraries Make Tough Choices in Difficult Times: Purposeful Abandonment, byDavid Stern, Oxford, Chandos, 2013, xvi þ 210 pp., USD$80.00 (paperback), ISBN 978-

1-84334-701-9

David Stern is the associate dean for public services at Milner Library, Illinois State

University, USA. He administers US$7 million resources budget, supervises 23

librarians and staff, and contributes to the library’s strategic directions, plans and

evaluation.

Purposeful abandonment (“Drop”) is one of four categories of action into which Stern

suggests libraries place their tasks and services, to cope with “difficult times” of financial

pressure. Purposeful abandonment is required when, “Despite organisational momentum,

emotional attachments, historical experience and even particular champions, the service

value is deemed unsupportable given present resources and other expectations” (173). The

other categories are:

“Do”: The task has top priority, and is to be performed at the highest level of

capability, with top-level responsibility and support.

“Delegate”: The task has value and priority, but responsibility is delegated to a sub-unit

and lower-level managers.

“Delay”: The task has lesser importance that those currently receiving support, and

less immediate value toward the strategic initiatives. Postpone the

implementation of the task, but “keep it on the agenda” (173).

Stern describes how to undertake an organisational review to reach the categorisation

stage. The book progresses in six chapters through the processes of creating new strategic

objectives, determining intentions, gathering and analysing data, identifying best

practices, and providing leadership and direction. The resources that were associated with

the abandoned tasks can be reapplied to other priorities with greater impact. Stern advises

that user desires should be the most important driver of resource allocation.

Stern identifies two types of responses by libraries to financial pressure (budget

cutbacks). The first response is to re-engineer processes, which often achieves only small

savings. The modifications (such as automation) also recover staff time, but are

transitional in nature. The second response is to transform operations, which not only

achieves significant savings, but also will enhance services. Stern supports the latter

response, and he focuses on the technique of Service Quality Improvement (SQI) with the

ultimate goal of developing a flexible, user-centric, efficient and effective organisation. He

exhorts the reader to be creative, not conservative; and to be entrepreneurial, not safe: “Do

not avoid making tough decisions that will eventually demonstrate your failure to provide

timely and proactive services” (189).

Stern notes that assessments, analyses, enhancements and reconsiderations are part of

responsible management practices, and thus should occur regularly, not only in difficult

times. Hence the book targets both new appointees and experienced managers, by offering

basic management techniques, reminders and new tools. Another reviewer (Michelle

Australian Academic & Research Libraries, 2014

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Dalton 2013) has highlighted the usefulness of Chapter 4 “Understanding and utilising

data and statistical reports”. I found particular value in Chapter 3’s explanation of interest-

based problem solving, a technique to uncover causes of concern and resolve impasses

between groups.

The book is part of the Chandos Information Professional Series, which aims to

provide easy-to-read and practical coverage of topics of interest. The book is indexed, and

each chapter has an abstract and a key word listing. Each chapter also contains at least one

case study. There are two appendices: Appendix A “Start-up scenarios to ponder” provides

practice in identifying solutions, and Appendix B “Suggested readings” groups material

under the headings of philosophy, measurement and tools.

Stern concludes with a warning of the likelihood of pushback from internal and

external populations following the re-categorisation of tasks and services. He suggests

reviews be presented as invigorating and cleansing, and that managers should emphasise

the larger perspective of gaining the greatest amount of good from the resources involved.

Reference

Michelle Dalton. 2013. “How Libraries Make Tough Choices in Difficult Times: Purposefulabandonment by David Stern (Review).” Libfocus. Accessed November 18, 2013. http://www.libfocus.com/2013/04/how-libraries-make-tough-choices-in.html

Leith Robinson

Curtin University

[email protected]

q 2014, Leith Robinson

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00048623.2014.888978

Preserving Archives, by Helen Forde and Jonathan Rhys-Lewis, 2nd edn, Principles and

Practice in Records Management and Archives Series, London, Facet, 2013, xivþ272 pp.,

£49.95 (paperback), ISBN-978-1-85604-823-1

Preserving historical information for the use and enjoyment of a community and its future

generations is extremely important. Knowing how to maintain its integrity so its value

isn’t diminished or lost is particularly the job of those who work in records and archives

institutions, but libraries, museums and organisations more generally may also have an

interest. This second edition of Preserving archives by UK preservation and collection

specialists, Helen Forde and Jonathan Rhys-Lewis, is a must-read handbook for three main

audiences: those who already work within the area, those who want to work within it, and

those who need to understand the issues or elements involved to be able to manage a

quality archives operation.

It is made clear in the first few pages of the text that the rise of new technologies, as

well as new media on which to store information, is one of the reasons that prompted the

writing of this new edition. The digital world poses challenges that paper-based material

does not: paper is static, while electronic files will need to be continually monitored and

handled with care to ensure they do not become inaccessible. Digital preservation is a

particular focus of the third chapter, but its impact is discussed throughout the book. Each

chapter focuses on an aspect of managing an archive and includes small case studies to

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