The 21st century library – Digital collections and electronic books meet information centres

A complete guide for corporate libraries with six in-depth case studies

The first step in adding value in corporate libraries and information services is embracing DiGilio’s statement. Curating relevance in today’s knowledge economy requires knowledge, skills and abilities that are integral components of an information professional’s being. While many of the tasks can be completed by technologists or other knowledge workers, it is the full spectrum of knowledge, skills, abilities and possibilities that an information professional applies to our information rich universe that is invaluable.

This report will break down the skills used, and tasks completed, by information professionals to prompt themselves and their organisations to think broadly about possibility. Attention will be focused on the unique offerings available to organisations that embrace those possibilities to further their goals and improve the institution’s people, processes and priorities.

Chapter 1: The basics of adding value – Skills, knowledge and ability
Chapter 2: Talk the talk, walk the walk and strut the strut – Demonstrating value throughout and beyond the organisation
Chapter 3: Functions – Do the job well - Search and Retrieval
Chapter 4: Training delivers visible value
Chapter 5: Knowledge and information management – Expanding library services in the knowledge economy
Chapter 6: Transform competition to strategic triumphs through collaboration
Chapter 7: The 21st century library – Digital collections and electronic books meet information centres
Chapter 8: Applying social media for maximum benefit
Chapter 9: Outsourcing – A path to opportunity

Case study 1: Cost recovery to cost prevention – Five first steps to success
Case study 2: When ‘Believe us, it is so worth the money!’ won't cut it –
Communicating information value to senior executives
Case study 3: Managing copyright and digital rights at the University of Reading
Case study 4: RSS feeds in the ESR Christchurch Library
Case study 5: Successfully outsourcing international library, information and research services for a Fortune Global 500 company
Case study 6: Creating a new library information service at NHS North West