Michael A. Crumpton

Innovation and entrepreneurship

Purpose – This article aims to discuss the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in todays economic environment and why such activities should be part of leadership.Design/methodology/approach – The article references journals and conference activity that have demonstrated successful innovation activities.Findings – References and additional reading provide case studies and examples of successful innovative ideas. It is noted that more innovation and resulting entrepreneurial activities will be needed as libraries redefine themselves.Practical implications – Innovation can work but needs the culture in which to operate.Social implications – Collaboration with the broader community is not only beneficial but necessary in a global society.Originality/value – The article references both an active journal and conference cycle for persons interested in more information.

Workplace Information Literacy: A Neglected Priority for Community College Libraries

Community and technical colleges have long been sites for educating two groups of students: those going on to baccalaureate education and those seeking degrees in vocational-technical fields. If there are specialized programs of information literacy instruction for these divergent groups, they have not been described in the literature. This article examines prior relevant literature and empirical evidence from focus groups and a survey to provide a brief outline of the vocational/technical information literacy programs in community college libraries and makes recommendations for reassessing the priority assigned to these activities.

The value of transparency

Purpose – This paper seeks to discuss the need for transparency in leadership during tough financial times. Design/methodology/approach – This point-of-view is enhanced with related literature references from the business community. Findings – This point-of-view demonstrates the long-term benefits to transparent behavior. Practical implications – The development of leadership skills related to transparency can lead to improved effectiveness as a leader. Originality/value – This article is reflective of the authors personal experiences in providing effective leadership during tough times.

Accounting for the cost of social media

Purpose – This paper aims to discuss the importance of identifying the cost associated with using social media for library marketing efforts, as well as assessing the effectiveness of social media activities. Design/methodology/approach – This paper references articles and trends on this topic. Findings – With an increase in use of social media activities within libraries, there is clear evidence that creating formal assessment practices and tracking expenditures provides an increase in effectiveness and efficiency of those activities. Originality/value – This paper is written from the author’s own perceptions and actions taken on this topic.

Determining the value of your Library Science degree

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to present a discussion of some of the issues related to the perceived value of Library and Information Science (LIS) degrees.Design/methodology/approach– This is a viewpoint supported with research from current field literature.Findings– This is recognizing some of the problems encountered with perceived value of LIS degrees and comparing other disciplines. Recommendations are made for individuals to lead their own career needs.Originality/value– This is the author’s own points of view.

Keeping the motivation going

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to acknowledge and provide tips for ongoing motivation needs of an organization. Design/methodology/approach – This article discusses several examples in the literature regarding motivational elements. Findings – This article advocates for seeking new approaches to motivating employees as financial concerns deepen. Originality/value – This is the authors point-of-view and experience.

Development: What's in it for you?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to advocate for the importance of staff support for library development activities. Design/methodology/approach – This paper discusses basic fund raising principles and how staff can contribute. Findings – This article includes a success example. Originality/value – The article is based on experiences of the author and persons mentioned to produce a successful fund raising campaign.

Great Expectations: New Organizational Models for Overworked Liaisons Based on the UNCG Libraries Liaison Collections Responsibilities Task Force

Liaisons (subject specialists) keep getting busier. Research instruction, embedding in classes, outreach, collection development, weeding, assessing teaching and collections, promoting scholarly communication issues, and creating online learning objects are all potentially part of what a liaison is expected to do nowadays. So we hope every liaison is very interested—and very good—at all those responsibilities. Is that realistic? And does a liaison have time for all those things? At University of North Caroline at Greensboro (UNCG), library administrators decided it is time to examine how liaisons are organized to manage all of these competing responsibilities. The library formed a Liaison Collection Responsibilities Task Force to benchmark how other libraries might be handling the complexities of liaison responsibilities in innovative ways and to recommend several possible new organizational models for the collection development and public services work of liaisons. Members of the task force will review their benchmark findings and invite the audience to provide their own examples. Then we will present our recommendations for new organization models. Some recommendations will reflect incremental changes; others will be radical. We will ask the audience for feedback on the recommendations and suggestions for other models.

Mentoring in tough financial times

Purpose – This paper aims to discuss the importance of great mentoring to those with financial responsibilities during tough economic times.Design/methodology/approach – This paper pulls from the field literature two sets of attributes and considerations of skills needed in order to be a great mentor.Findings – It is important that persons with financial responsibilities are not overlooked in the mentoring process in order to direct their energies into positive actions.Research limitations/implications – The methods and skills discussed in this paper will need to be customized for individual emotional reactions to changing economic situations.Practical implications – This paper provides an explanation of the qualities needed by mentors to create a positive result.Social implications – This paper recognizes the importance of building social skills in order to develop good relationships.Originality/value – Readers are encouraged to expand on these concepts in order to become better mentors.

Cultivating an organizational effort for development

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the concept of providing education and guidance to library staff for the purpose of supporting philanthropic activities made on behalf of the library. The need for this type of activity and basic principles of philanthropy are included.Design/methodology/approachThis paper includes a through literature review and a case study narrative with examples on activities at the author’s home institution.FindingsThe literature supports that cultivating a broader, more detailed understanding of philanthropic activities within the organization, will improve fundraising results and individual satisfaction for giving and receiving.Practical implicationsThe concepts discussed have beginnings in other institutions and recognize a trend of adapting business models to libraries’ needs.Originality/valueThe is the author’s own work, shared with members of the author’s organization.