Emerald | Bottom Line: Managing Library Finances, The | Table of Contents

Running on empty: the value of values

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Anthony McMullen) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

Purpose - To provide insights into issues encountered in maintaining library technologies and electronic collections on a limited budget and with limited personnel.Design/methodology/approach - Uses real world experiences and evidence from the body of literature to provide commentary on the importance of clearly defined missions and goals in an era of shrinking budgets and changing user expectations.Findings - Having a clearly defined library mission statement with underlying goals and outcomes is vital in this time of accountability and assessment in higher education. Librarians must be mindful of the need to connect the goals and outcomes to the overall institutional goals in order to provide measurable and meaningful value.Originality/value - This paper examines one library’s struggle to establish an identity in an era where traditional methods of determining value are no longer suitable. The article uses dialogue from departmental meetings coupled with evidence from the library literature to state the importance of finding and communicating value in an era of accountability.

Does Not Compute: The Numbers Need Style

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Terrance Luther Cottrell) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

Purpose - Budgetary and activity-based data examination and analysis are core to planning for all organizations. This paper serves to explore aspects of budgetary financial data and activity data focusing on how each is presented separately and in tandem for more productive decision-making. Design/methodology/approach - Correlations between how data is typically presented versus how it may possibly be presented serves as the basis for a discussion on advantages to a more journalistic and visual approach to looking at numerical analysis. Findings - Using numbers to tell a story is the preferred method to inspire positive action when both presenting and beginning any and all discussions about budgetary and activity data. Library leaders wishing positive outcomes to stem from their data are advised to spend more time making data appealing in form for presentation to a variety of audiences.Originality/value - Financial and outcomes measures data analysis is growing in popularity as a means for making data-driven decisions. Many leaders, however, continue to show numbers in standardized tabular form to all of their stakeholders. This method of presentation attempting to work to encourage others to enjoy and respect data analysis is not preferred to more a dynamic and visual adoption of data styling. It is argued that attractive presentation of data makes data analysis more attractive, and therefore, more likely to occur.

Budgeting for Libraries: Visualizing the Value of Library Content

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Kirstin Steele) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

Purpose - To share ideas about and examples of visual representations of library collections.Design/methodology/approach - Literature review and opinion.Findings - Although information visualization appears in the literature as a field of study at least as early as 1981, library catalogs and indexes remain overwhelmingly text-based.Originality/value - Since 2010, only about 10% of the full-text, scholarly articles in EBSCO databases with thesaurus term "information visualization" are published in library science journals.

Library Leadership Column The Institutional Library Committee Part I: A Tool for Garnering Support

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Gary Fitsimmons) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

Purpose - This article’s purpose is to explain the usefulness of the institutional library committee in supporting the library director’s vision for the library.Design/methodology/approach - The article describes the function and makeup of an institutional library committee and then talks about how the director can use his/her influence on the committee to garner support for library initiatives.Findings - The article finds that the library director has influence on such a committee regardless of his/her position on the committee.Research limitations/implications - (N/A)Practical implications - This committee provides a unique channel of influence for educating on and advancing library issues.Originality/value - The value of the article is in getting the most out of this committee.

Leading Results Building Operational Efficiencies

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Michael A Crumpton) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

Purpose - This paper highlights the need to have present day operational efficiencies in preparing our organizations for the future.Design/methodology/approach - This paper refers to some recent work published with regard to present day reflection of practices which will impact future considerations for library organizations.Findings - Some suggested areas to consider are included.Originality/value - This paper offers a point of view supported by related references and is the concept that the author favors for present consideration of future impact.

Establishing a Friends of the Library Advisory Board

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (John Eye, Vik Brown) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

Purpose - This article describes how a Friends of the Library group was formed to support the collections and services of a small academic university library. Design/methodology/approach - A case study approach is used to articulate how a friends group can be established to generate revenue for library collections and services.Findings - A discussion is used to review concepts supporting how a friends group may be created to provide financial support as well as community outreach and influence.Practical implications - A friends group can not only add financial stability but also bring much needed positive attention toward various elements of the library enterprise. Friends can help manage special projects or exhibits allowing library staff to focus on other duties.Originality/value - This article provides a unique example to library administrators how a friends group can effectively support library collections and services both financially and operationally. Comments are also provided identifying potential and real challenges.

Crisis as a challenge for growth: fundraising experiences in two libraries at the University of Bologna.

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Alessandra Citti, Marina Zuccoli) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe the fund raising activities carried out by two libraries at the University of Bologna (Italy), which could be adopted by other libraries.Design/methodology/approach - The essay discusses the approach adopted and gives examples.Findings - The crisis can be an opportunity to identify weaknesses and strengths and then to study the market and find economical support, but also to improve services in order to meet different needs. Originality/value - The originality of the paper relies on the interpretation of the crisis as a challenge to build a network of library supporters and new interests in library services.