While the missions and values of libraries are lasting, the way in we deliver them varies over time.
New technologies and tools can obviously trigger change, from allowing some activities to be automated, freeing up time for other work, to opening new possibilities to achieve impact.
User expectations can evolve, for example to expect services to be faster or online, or on the contrary to value more the opportunity to meet and do things in person.
New challenges can emerge where libraries have a role to play, bringing our institutions into new areas of work and focus.
And the nature of the communities that we serve themselves also changes, with population ageing, and people moving in and out of areas.
All of these mean that the basis on which services and activities in libraries were designed in the past may no longer be optimal today.
So for our 71st 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, reassess a service or activity.
Remind yourself of its goals and intended impacts on communities, and think about whether there is any reason to look again.
Could there be more effective ways of achieving these goals? Are there other types of activity which it would be better to focus on?
It’s of course perfectly possible that you continue with what you are doing now – at least then you will know that you’re doing it for a reason.
But maybe you’ll find an opportunity to save time and resources in order to be able to do other things that will bring benefits.
Let us know about when you have reassessed services or activities, and the results, in the comments box below!
Good luck!
This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! 2.2 Deliver high quality campaigns, information and other communications products on a regular basis to engage and energise libraries
As we publish more ideas, you will be able to view these using the #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian tag on this blog, and of course on IFLA’s Ideas Store! Do also share your ideas in the comments box.