Special Libraries: A Survival Guide

by James M. Matarazzo Ph.D., Toby Pearlstein

Overview

Learn why special or corporate libraries must align with their parent organizations in order to survive in these difficult economic times—and how to foster and demonstrate this critical relationship.

Special Libraries: A Survival Guide analyzes what has happened—and is still continuing to happen—to corporate libraries in order to identify the strategies that must be taken to protect their staff's survival. Through a careful examination of a series of case studies of corporate library reductions and closures, authors James M. Matarazzo and Toby Pearlstein suggest key strategies, tactics, and survival tools that all types of special library managers can use to minimize their chances of becoming a victim. The book underscores the importance of collecting data as a survival tool. Additionally, it identifies what needs to be taught to students currently enrolled in library and information science (LIS) programs to give them a leg up in careers.

This advocacy book is essential reading for staff at special/corporate libraries in the English-speaking world who wish to retain their positions, but it also contains information applicable to today's academic, public, and even school libraries. It is appropriate for students in the field of library and information science, LIS faculty, and corporate executives responsible for the management of the information function.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781610692670
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	04/23/2013
Pages:	167
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

James M. Matarazzo, PhD, is dean and professor emeritus at the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Simmons College, Boston, MA.

Toby Pearlstein, PhD, is retired director of global information services for Bain & Company, Inc., a strategic management consulting firm.

Table of Contents

Foreword Sylvia James ix

Introduction Barbara Quint xi

Part I You Are What You Measure: The Importance of Data as a Survival Tool 1

Introduction James M. Matarazzo Toby Pearlstein 1

1 Corporate Score: Marrying Two Expert Tools Will Help You Sustain Your Corporate Library James M. Matarazzo Toby Pearlstein 3

2 Case Study: The AT&T Bell Laboratories Library Network Donald T. Hawkins 7

3 Preface: The Glass Is Half Full 17

A Review of Research Related to the Management of Corporate Libraries James M. Matarazzo Toby Pearlstein 24

Part II Strategies and Tactics for Survival 43

Introduction James M. Matarazzo Toby Pearlstein 43

4 Staying Afloat in Turbulent Waters James M. Matarazzo Toby Pearlstein Lynne Palombo Leigh Montgomery Elaine Raines 45

Afterword: News Libraries: An Update Leigh Montgomery 63

5 Corporate Libraries: A Soft Analysis and a Warning James M. Matarazzo Toby Pearlslein 67

Companion Essay: A Warning from the UK Sylvia James 72

6 Alternate Sourcing: A Critical Component of Your Survival Toolkit James M. Matarazzo Toby Pearlstein 75

7 Resuscitated: The EPA Libraries' Near-Death Experience James M. Matarazzo Toby Pearlstein 85

Afterword Redux: EPA Libraries at 40-Looking Toward a Bright Future Deborah Balsamo 91

8 Educating Special Librarians: "The Past Is Prologue" James M. Matarazzo Toby Pearlstein 93

9 Educating Special Librarians: In Search of a Model James M. Matarazzo Toby Pearlstein 103

10 Scenario Planning as Preventive Medicine James M. Matarazzo Toby Pearlstein 113

11 Professional Association Membership as a Survival Tool Sylvia James 121

12 Corporate Library Survival outside the United States: Lessons from New Zealand and Australia Gillian Ralph Julie Sibthorpe 129

Part III So What Does Your Manager Think? 149

Introduction James M. Matarazzo Toby Pearlstein 149

Companion Essay: Investment Management, Buy-Side Research, and the Information Professional Sylvia James 149

13 What the Library Has to Do to Be Successful Chuck Pickelhaupt 155

14 Information Services at Bain & Co., Inc.: Adding Value to the Future of the Firm Michael Zimmerman Steven Tollman 157

15 Putnam Investments Corporate Library Patrick O'Donnell 161

Index 165

Editorial Reviews

The book constitutes a master class in planning for specialized information services. It is a must-read for special librarians concerned about their professional futures and is equally relevant for educators charged with developing competencies in library students. I highly recommend that library science educators include the book in their curricula, and I urge every special librarian to treat the book as a daily companion. We owe Matarazzo and Pearlstein a huge gratitude for having 'pulled it all together' for us” —Information Outlook

“Readers will gain insight into closure avoidance strategies by digesting the content of this well-written, straightforward book. The writers do emphasize special libraries, but the strategies and models could easily be adapted to academic and public library situations. The book is highly recommended for special/corporate libraries and academic libraries that support schools of library and information science.” —ARBA

From the Publisher