Leading Technology in Libraries

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

gmillsap@tspcl.orggjmillsap.wordpress.com