What is innovative to public libraries in the United States? A perspective of library administrators for classifying innovations

Potnis, Devendra; Winberry, Joseph; Finn, Bonnie; Hunt, Courtney

doi:10.1177/0961000619871991

Cited by 19 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Identification of library innovation has been carried out by several previous researchers such as Jantz (2012) who identified innovation from the perspective of academic librarians or Nicholson (2017) and Potnis et al (2020) that identify public library innovations from the innovations that have been conducted. Previous research aims to identify and classify the forms of innovation that have been carried out.…”

Section: Problem Statement and Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Classifying innovation in Indonesian public libraries

Srirahayu¹,

Harisanty²,

Anugrah³

2023

DLP

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Purpose Public libraries have been making various efforts and innovations to adapt to changes. The purpose of this study is to analyze type of library innovation based on the innovation’s subject. Design/methodology/approach The data was collected by identifying the information in regard to the innovation uploaded on the library website. A total of 548 public library websites have been identified, and 1,567 library innovations data have been collected. Findings The innovations that have been made and carried out are divided into seven subject categories: inclusion-based innovation, information source innovation, innovation, cooperation, innovation in information services, innovation in library management, innovation with the use of technology. The consequences of innovation in public libraries include increased performance, community empowerment, increased accessibility of information, increased public literacy and external support. Research limitations/implications This research only focuses on one type of library, namely, all public libraries in Indonesia. The findings of this study are based on library innovation data taken from the public library website, so that library innovations that are not uploaded to the website are not included in this study. Originality/value The impact of the innovations that have been implemented is not only in improving the performance of the library but also the surrounding community. Public libraries must continue to innovate because of the amount that can be obtained for the progress of society, nation and state.

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Section: Problem Statement and Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Potnis et al (2020) divide four typologies of innovation in public libraries in America, namely, Program, Process, Partnership and Technology. Program innovation is defined as a new initiative designed and implemented to meet the needs of its users.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Classifying innovation in Indonesian public libraries

Srirahayu¹,

Harisanty²,

Anugrah³

2023

DLP

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“…Clearly public libraries innovate over time (Pungitore, 1995) and various theories have been proposed to explain how and why public librarians adopt innovations (Potnis et al , 2020a, b) so “Deweyan Pragmatism” may or may not be a more helpful theoretical lens than these to explain not only the historical examples offered by Wiegand and Buschman but also such contemporary instances in which public libraries are eliminating overdue fines, creating makerspaces, or administering naxolone. Not all libraries adopt all innovations; much is contingent upon their local circumstances and communities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The pragmatics of weeding

Martens

2021

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PurposeThe purpose of this research is to investigate the language of “weeding” (library deselection) within public library collection development policies in order to examine whether such policies and practices can be usefully connected to library and information science (LIS) theory, specifically to “Deweyan pragmatic adaptation” as suggested by Buschman (2017) in the pages of this journal.Design/methodology/approachThis is a policy analysis of collection deselection policies from the 50 public libraries serving US state capitals, using Bacchi’s policy problem representation technique.Findings“Weeding” as described by these public library collection deselection policies is clearly pragmatic and oriented to increasing circulation to patrons, but the “Deweyan pragmatic adaptation” as reflected by many of those reviewed might better be defined as the pragmatism of Melvil Dewey rather than that of John Dewey.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough this work reviewed policies from a very small sample of US public libraries, collection, selection and deselection language as shown in the policies studied appear to be consistent with neoliberal priorities and values in terms of prioritizing “circulation” and “customers,” which may have additional implications for the current transition from print to electronic materials in public librariesOriginality/valueJohn Dewey’s political philosophy and Carol Bacchi’s policy problem representation technique have not been widely used in policy analysis by LIS researchers, and this paper offers a number of suggestions for similar public library policy investigations.

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“…Innovation—that is, the process of implementing new programs, collaborations, processes, or combinations of activities (Nicholson, 2019; Potnis et al, 2019)—can help public libraries thrive by meeting the needs and expectations of local communities (Strange, 2008; Vassilakaki, 2015; Wójcik, 2019a), government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and businesses in uncertain and rapidly changing times (Milam, 2008; Pew Research Center, 2013). Innovations also improve the operational efficiency of public libraries (Holt et al, 1996; Koizumi, 2014; Koizumi and Widdersheim, 2016; Sin and Vakkari, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Innovations are inherently risky, so “innovation cannot just be left to chance—it needs managing” (Rowley, 2011: 256). Most libraries actively undertake program, process, partnership, and technology innovations to create new and greater value for their communities (Potnis et al, 2019). Participation, making and creating, learning, new outreach, and partnerships are the key activities of innovative public libraries in the USA (Nicholson, 2019), which require and/or represent processes that need to be managed proactively.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Best practices for managing innovations in public libraries in the USA

Potnis

Winberry

Finn

2020

Journal of Librarianship and Information Science

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Public libraries serve as anchors for thousands of communities across the United States. Innovations are critical for the survival and relevance of public libraries in the country. Few studies, if any, identify the best practices for managing innovations in public libraries based on the experiential guidance shared by administrators of public libraries that are recognized for their innovations. This empirical study fills in the gap by identifying the challenges and solutions for managing innovations in public libraries in the USA. A thematic content analysis of qualitative responses collected through an online anonymous survey of 219 administrators of 211 innovations in 106 urban public libraries awarded for their innovations revealed 30 unique challenges to planning and implementing innovations and an equal number of solutions, which were then organized into five clusters: strategy, finance, organizational behavior, human resource management, and communication. Administrators and staff in public libraries need to develop competencies in these five areas to better manage innovations in the future. Other public libraries can learn, apply, and benefit from these best practices. The best practices for managing innovations, if applied, can enhance the perceived and real value of public libraries to their local communities.

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What is innovative to public libraries in the United States? A perspective of library administrators for classifying innovations

Cited by 19 publications

References 48 publications

Classifying innovation in Indonesian public libraries

Classifying innovation in Indonesian public libraries

The pragmatics of weeding

Best practices for managing innovations in public libraries in the USA

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