leading technology in libraries
DESCRIPTION
Gina Millsap's presentation at the Computers in Libraries 2008 ConferenceTRANSCRIPT
Leading Technology
in Libraries
Gina MillsapEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The first tech prez?
Technology Timelines
“D” in Information Science 101, UMC School of Library and Information Science
Head of computer services, Daniel Boone Regional Library
Head of technical/end user support for COIN
Focus on keeping libraries relevant through digital branch & customer focused initiatives
Leaves Harvard. Founds Microsoft.
Releases Windows 2.0, becomes a billionaire
Releases Windows NT, now richest man in U.S.
Steps down from day-to-day role at MS to focus on education (including libraries) & health
Technology Timelines
Born November, 1954 Born October, 1955
What’s she talking about?
“These have been in almost constant use.
How can a child learn the geography of a country better than by pictures of its scenes, its people and its buildings?”
Why is technology important?
Manage operations more efficiently
Allows us to serve
customers in ways
most meaningful to them Expands and enhances information resources
Expands our reach
Keeps us
relevant
Barriers
Don’t knowFad?!?
No time No staff
Overwhelmed Afraid
QuestionsMoney, money, money, money, money, money…
STOP
STOP
STOP
STOP
STOP
STOP
STOPSTOP
Boss as barrier
Library Director 2.0
• Less hierarchy
• Trust staff
• Transparency
• Involve all levels of staff
• Explain decisions
• Less hierarchy
• Trust staff
• Transparency
• Involve all levels of staff
• Explain decisions
Library Director 2.0
• Structured for quick decisions & implementation
• Train staff • Allow play time • LISTEN - LISTEN - LISTEN• Offer structures for feedback
• Structured for quick decisions & implementation
• Train staff • Allow play time • LISTEN - LISTEN - LISTEN• Offer structures for feedback
Library Director 2.1
• Focus on what matters most to customers
• Put your money where your mouth is
• Seek resources elsewhere
• Organize around the work
• Focus on what matters most to customers
• Put your money where your mouth is
• Seek resources elsewhere
• Organize around the work
Library Director 2.1
• Avoid one-size-fits-all
• Treat staff as customers
• Build your leadership team
• Understand the context
• Data-based decision making
• Avoid one-size-fits-all
• Treat staff as customers
• Build your leadership team
• Understand the context
• Data-based decision making
People not stuff
People not stuff
Asking the right questions
• What are the top 5 things we need to preserve? Why?
• What are the top 3 things we need to change? Why?
• What are the barriers to doing your best work?
Asking the right questions
• What makes you feel valued?
• What do you most hope I do as the director?
• What are you most concerned I might do as the director?
Organizational Priorities
• Customer Service• Valuing Staff• Programs, services, collections,
infrastructure• Leadership• Organizational Development
That vision thing
All library services available at the digital branch.
Create new, fun and cutting edge experiences for library customers utilizing rapidly growing interactive components of the web environment (MySpace, Second Life, YouTube, instant messaging, etc.)
For many customers, our online services are the preferred way of using the library. For some, it istheir library.
Leadership
Gina Millsap