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Leaning into sustainability at University of Alberta Libraries

Gerald Beasley (University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada)
Trish Rosseel (University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada)

Library Management

ISSN: 0143-5124

Article publication date: 14 March 2016

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a case study that considers the links between cost avoidance, lean design, and sustainability in relation to two different library projects at University of Alberta Libraries (UAL) – the design of the Research and Collections Resource Facility and the development of new fee-based library services at UAL’s John W. Scott Health Sciences Library.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study describes the analysis of each project’s workflows in relation to lean design in order to enhance processes and service delivery.

Findings

Findings to date in both of these ongoing projects suggest that consideration of the lean philosophy has already led to process and service improvements. With regard to the new building design project, revised task design is already resulting in significant savings in staff time, and work space. And the staffing model for fee-based specialized services has already been redesigned, an alignment with lean principles.

Research limitations/implications

While this paper does discuss and define lean design, it does not provide a comprehensive summary of research in this area.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the value of lean design as a framework for designing, developing, and reviewing academic library buildings, services, processes, and workflows to ensure they are sustainable.

Keywords

Citation

Beasley, G. and Rosseel, T. (2016), "Leaning into sustainability at University of Alberta Libraries", Library Management, Vol. 37 No. 3, pp. 136-148. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-04-2016-0023

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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