Being an Information Innovator

Citation

Freeman, M. (2012), "Being an Information Innovator", New Library World, Vol. 113 No. 7/8, pp. 407-407. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074801211245147

Another well produced and timely offering from Facet Publishing. The author is well known in the profession and casts her experienced eye over the vital arenas of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship in the LIS profession today.

In these straitened times “evolve or die” might well be the watchword and we should perhaps read our Darwin a bit more. The author makes a good effort at explaining the concept of innovation and bringing it into modern professional practice and she gives some good examples to illustrate the concept. Entrepreneurship is closely linked with innovation and creativity and again she gives some good pertinent examples. How to plan for and install innovation in organisations fill a couple of interesting chapters, and the books has a good index and is well laid out.

This volume is essentially an academic work, with good helpful chapter layouts and sound practical exercises, summaries and review topics, plus good up to date reading lists at the end of each chapter. Lots of management theory and illustrative examples from management are given and the book is not an easy read – it demands concentration and commitment. It should appeal to advanced and postgraduate students and LIS practitioners tasked with bringing innovation and entrepreneurship into a library environment.