As already highlighted many times in this series, collaboration is both a feature of the library field, and a priority.
It is an essential part of so much of our work, both within and outside individual institutions, enabling activities such as cooperative preservation projects, document supply, and the creation of many digital libraries.
We can of course always be doing more, making new connections, in order to learn, to think differently, and to create solutions.
Going into collaboration, it is useful to think about how to make this as effective as possible for all involved.
And so, just as we do with library users, we need to change our perspective, looking at things through their eyes.
So for our 86th 10-Minute International Librarian, put yourself in a colleague’s position.
What are their priorities, and what are their needs? What motivates them, what tires them out?
Crucially, what does this mean for how you go about making collaboration happen? What can you change, and what can you leave the same.
Share your experiences of great collaborations with colleagues in the comments below!
Good luck!
This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! Key Initiative 3.2 Support virtual networking and connections.
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 below!