It's not about ME - - it's about YOU

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“It’s not about ME -- it’s about YOU” Durham County Library Staff Day 2007 Theresa E. Cummings Manager, Libraries IT Department Wake County Libraries [email protected]

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Presentation to Durham County Library staff on their staff day, May 10, 2007

Transcript of It's not about ME - - it's about YOU

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“It’s not about ME -- it’s about YOU”Durham County Library Staff Day 2007

Theresa E. CummingsManager, Libraries IT DepartmentWake County [email protected]

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So who am I?

Manager of Libraries IT Department at Wake County Public Libraries In current position since January 2000. Arrived full of energy and naiveté. Quickly realized the department was

growing, and growing and growing… Am living proof that you can become a

different librarian than you dreamed you’d be in Library School.

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The way we were…

In January 2000: Our system had 17 branches, with approximately

250 PCs being used by library staff and our public. The majority of “technology” in our library

branches was dumb terminals. A majority of our “electronic resources” were in

CD-ROM format – requiring customers to visit a library branch to use.

Our annual book circulation was between 5-6 million.

Our customer base was approximately 600,000 citizens. The number of library card holders was approximately 225,000.

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Growing and growing…

In January 2007: We reopened our North Regional Library, capping off

four major library constructions/renovations in one year, bringing the total number of branches to 19 – and the number of PCs supported to nearly 1,200.

Technology is found in many forms throughout the library – WiFi, public Internet access, electronic management of PC usage and public printing, and more!

All of our “electronic resources” are online, and thanks to NC LIVE, are numerous in breadth and depth.

Our annual book circulation will surpass 8.5 million. Our customer base is approximately 786,000 citizens.

The number of library card holders is over 374,000.

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WCPL Culture

Build libraries where people live and give them access to everything they’ll need from their local library

A popular collection is what our customers want Requesting books should be easy and unrestricted Services to children is our #1 priority Give employees the information they need to

make free, informed decisions. Less rules, more guidelines Volunteers – our clean little secret Self service makes sense

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How do we encourage this culture?

Facilitative Leadership model

Customer Service model

The Power of Nice

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Facilitative Leadership Model

Created by Roger Schwarz (www.schwarzassociates.com)

The Skilled Facilitator Approach Ground Rules for Effective Groups

Core values of: Valid information, free and informed choice, internal commitment, and compassion

All library employees are exposed to these ground rules, and we use them in all meetings and committees.

It’s hard work requiring constant practice!

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Customer Service Model

Superior customer service is a mindset, not an activity…

We hold regular Customer Service Workshops for all library employees, covering areas including: Avoiding Library Lingo Customer service via phone or email Serving external AND internal customers Highlighting the differences in perceptions and motivations

based upon personality types. Dealing with challenging customers – use the L.A.S.T. formula:

Listen to the customer Acknowledge the customer’s concern Solve the concern (if possible) and sympathize Thank the customer

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A Culture of Nice

We minimize punitive responses We empower each employee to break the

“rules” when necessary to meet a customer’s needs and ensure a positive experience

It’s not necessary (or possible) to treat everyone the same. Strive to treat each customer as they wish to be treated. This requires good communication skills to find out hidden meanings…

Customers don’t care what you know, until they know that you care

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IT Culture @ WCPL

We are Library employees who happen to be in the IT Department.

YES is the answer “There’s no I in IT”, err, well, you know what I

mean… Partnerships make it happen Transparency is essential Take advantage of all opportunities to learn Be proactive in making sure your customers are

happy Keep your mouth OPEN

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Our Challenges for the Future

Continuing to keep up with the demand for library services in Wake County (bond referendums, capital building projects)

Continuing to attract and retain the best library employees who love their jobs and are committed to providing excellent customer service.

Constantly evaluating our services by asking the question: “Is this what our customers want?”

Increase the visibility of Libraries as the #1 asset of Wake County.

Not resting on our laurels, thinking we have it all figured out.

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Top 10 ideas to help you make the leap:

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#10 Talk to the right people, oh and listen too.

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#9 Take the blinders off – and throw them away

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#8 Don’t think you have to build it yourself

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#7 Throw “perfection” out the window

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#6 – Keep telling yourself: “This is my job”

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#5 – Whine with purpose

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#4 – Find new ways to do your job

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#3 – Never underestimate willingness to engage in meaningful work

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#2 – READ, READ, READ

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#1 – Remember it’s ALWAYS about the customer

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Leaping People and Ideas

Helene Blowers (librarybytes.com) David Lee King (davidleeking.com) Patricia Martin – (LitLamp.com) Google Alerts (google.com/alerts), Google Reader

(google.com/reader) Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org) Facilitative Leadership Model – Roger Schwarz and

Associates (schwarzassociates.com) Made to Stick: Why some ideas survive and others

die – Chip and Dan Heath (madetostick.com) Delivering knock your socks off service – Kristen

Anderson

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GO DURHAM, GO!

This entire slide presentation can be viewed and commented on in my

blog:leapinlibrarian.wordpress.com

You can email me at:[email protected]