You're looking to modernize your library services. How can you get started?
Library services are constantly evolving to meet the needs and expectations of users, staff, and stakeholders. Modernizing your library services can help you improve efficiency, accessibility, quality, and impact of your library. But how can you get started with such a complex and challenging project? Here are some tips and steps to guide you through the process of library modernization.
The first step is to evaluate your current library services and identify what works well and what needs improvement. You can use various methods and tools to collect data and feedback from your users, staff, and partners, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, analytics, and benchmarks. You should also review your library's mission, vision, goals, and policies to align them with your modernization objectives.
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A modernização da Biblioteca nas IES depende de informações qualificadas que permitam atender às necessidades dos cursos. Precisamos relacionar a obra com curso(s) e disciplina(s). Nenhuma editora nacional ou estrangeira e nenhuma Biblioteca Digital consegue apresentar o material como uma IES precisa. Foi necessário todo um processo de curadoria em mais de 600 editoras para organizar as informações e conseguimos catalogar mais de 65.000 obras em uma plataforma. Também foi preciso criar um instrumento que considerasse todas as variáveis dos instrumentos de avaliação do MEC. Informação qualificada e instrumento de gestão economizam tempo de serviço e reduzem custos.
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Modernizing library services is an ongoing and multifaceted process that requires a commitment to adaptability, innovation, and user-centricity. Libraries can successfully embark on a modernization journey that aligns their services with the evolving needs and expectations of the digital age by harnessing the power of technology, upgrading the physical space, empowering library staff, and collaborating with the community.
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Libraries need to embrace technology and see it as a tool not the enemy. We need to accept the 5th rule of librarianship and be dynamic in our approach. That being said, find out what you need in the library and what piece of technology can help in achieving its purpose as well as accessibility and usability.
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In my view to modernize library services, start by conducting a thorough assessment of current needs and trends. Embrace digitalization by investing in online catalogs, e-books, and digital lending platforms. Enhance community engagement through interactive events, workshops, and virtual programs. Collaborate with technology partners to integrate innovative solutions like AI-driven recommendation systems or self-checkout kiosks. Lastly, prioritize staff training to ensure seamless implementation and ongoing support for new technologies.
The next step is to define what you want to achieve with your library modernization and how you will measure your progress and success. You can use the SMART framework to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals that address the gaps and opportunities you identified in your assessment. You should also prioritize your goals and align them with your library's strategic plan and budget.
The third step is to explore the different options and solutions that can help you modernize your library services. Researching best practices, trends, innovations, and case studies from other libraries and organizations is a great place to start. Additionally, consulting experts, vendors, and peers can provide advice and recommendations on the best tools and methods for your library. Common areas of library modernization include library automation software, digital library services, and library space design. Library automation software streamlines workflows, reduces errors, saves time and money, and enhances user experience and satisfaction. Digital library services expand collections, reach new audiences, support remote learning and research, and promote digital literacy and inclusion. Lastly, library space design creates a welcoming, comfortable, functional, and flexible environment that supports different types of activities, needs, and preferences of your users and staff.
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Always, ALWAYS ask your front-facing personnel what they think. I worked in a library where a planned new service resulted in the removal of the well-trafficked and used computer labs and printing area for a new feature, and we recieved a lot of complaints from regular users about the new feature not being useful and them missing the old computers and printers. If the front-facing customer service staff had been asked, we would have forseen this.
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Para modernizar os serviços da biblioteca, você pode começar a: Implemente um sistema de gerenciamento de biblioteca online para facilitar o empréstimo, reserva e devolução de materiais. Ofereçer recursos digitais como e-books, revistas eletrônicas, e bancos de dados online. Criar espaços colaborativos com Wi-Fi e áreas para estudo em grupo. Realizar eventos e programas virtuais como clubes do livro, palestras e oficinas online. Desenvolver um aplicativo móvel para acesso conveniente ao catálogo, renovação de empréstimos, e notificações. Solicitar Feedback dos Usuários para orientar melhorias contínuas e adaptações aos serviços.
The fourth step is to plan and implement your library modernization project according to your goals, options, and resources. You can use a project management approach to define the scope, schedule, budget, roles, responsibilities, risks, and communication strategies of your project. You should also involve your users, staff, and partners in the planning and implementation process to ensure their input, feedback, buy-in, and support. You should also test and evaluate your modernization solutions before launching them to ensure their quality and usability.
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Modernizar os serviços de uma biblioteca é um processo que requer planejamento estratégico e adoção de tecnologias inovadoras. Iniciamos esse processo com uma análise detalhada das necessidades dos usuários e das lacunas nos serviços existentes. Um exemplo prático foi a modernização de uma biblioteca universitária, onde começamos pela digitalização do acervo, utilizando scanners de alta resolução e softwares de reconhecimento óptico de caracteres (OCR) para tornar o conteúdo acessível digitalmente. Em seguida, implementamos um sistema de Gestão Eletrônica de Documentos (GED), como o Alfresco, para facilitar o acesso e a pesquisa dos materiais.
The final step is to monitor and evaluate your library modernization outcomes and impact. You can use various indicators and metrics to measure the performance, efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction of your modernized library services. You can also collect and analyze data and feedback from your users, staff, and partners to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of your modernization project. You should also report and share your results and lessons learned with your stakeholders and community to demonstrate your value and accountability.
Modernizing your library services can be a rewarding and beneficial endeavor for your library and its users. By following these steps and tips, you can plan and execute a successful library modernization project that meets your goals and expectations.
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As you modernize library services don’t completely abandon elements of the retro-library. Some of these elements are “comfy” to diverse users. I remember having a first-year college student come into special collections because we have the only hands-on encyclopedia set in the library. If you have a library retrieval system keep the old classic reference resources that are still timely available in open stacks. Modern is good, but keep humanism accessible.
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It's important not to get too excited about a new and 'modern' feature, if it doesn't provide enough benefits to library users. Our library management system includes an app which allows users not only to search the library catalogue, but also borrow and return items themselves. I thought it would be handy, but despite plenty of promotion of the app, it hasn't been at all popular with students. In fact, they much prefer the very old-fashioned option of a 'borrowing book' where they can write down the details of any books they're taking out of the library. Sometimes low-tech is the most efficient and popular!
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A problem I have seen personally is that in excitement about modernising services, people forget about people with diverse access needs. Some older people will find it difficult to access a service that moves online, and you can never assume your audience knows anything -- I used to work in a tertiary library, and far from being "digital natives", young people mainly work on phones and aren't taught in school how to use a catalogue, Furthermore, some cultures prefer a face to face or more personal service, so make sure to keep a human element and don't get so excited about new toys that you forget about library users and their needs.
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Each library service has an innovative technology that can be added to it to improve and modernize the servers for users. Library users might not need to be physically in the library to access these services. Some innovative technology that can be added to the library is the use of Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, Social media, Library websites, Cloud computing, and more.
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