SPECIAL LIBRARY RE-OPENING IN A

PANDEMIC WORLD

Stephen Abram, MLS

Aug 22, 2020 SLA Asia

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Experienced global library and

information industry leader

Expert in:

• Strategic planning

• Product development

• Technology

• Training and marketing

Stephen Abram

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Heads up!Lucidea Press

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Download as Kindle or Print

https://www.amazon.com/Succeeding-

World-Special-Librarianship-

Stephen/dp/1718600682/ref=sr_1_1?ie=

UTF8&qid=1528125070&sr=8-

1&keywords=Succeeding+in+the+World

+of+Special+Librarianship

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◦ Succeeding in the World of Special Librarianship

◦10 part series plus 3 extras (1 hour each)

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A

Clean

Slate

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Start at the Beginning: Basic Philosophy

◦ Staff and User safety is the first priority

◦ Understand that you are NOT returning to the old NORMAL. That is

nostalgia

◦ You are creating a NEXT Normal and this is a great opportunity.

◦ Reframe what User behaviours are changing

◦ Know what value your library delivers and the impacts of your

services (Measure it)

◦ Know your personal and organizational values

NOUNSBooks, eBooks

Magazines

Websites

Buildings

Rooms

Desks

Stations

Programs

Nouns can be warehoused and ‘cut’

ServeAnswerEngage

LinkEntertain

Tell a storyTeachCreate

DoAction verbs are about dynamism and impact

YOU

Strategy and Direction Planning

http://mashable.com/2012/10/09/infographic-cloud/

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http://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=0he0axy9jd32HM&tbnid=STmwpheni7NkiM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://philosophical-ranter.blogspot.com/2011/11/incredibly-persuasive-wizard-of-oz.html&ei=2v1KUdHJMoKE9QT3ooDYBw&bvm=bv.44158598,d.eWU&psig=AFQjCNEAvD3RTswYm-mwmz2yjPkKCxjE5w&ust=1363955529254738

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http://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=p28k7Gh22E4yuM&tbnid=S2X1bxhC-_5ctM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.alinkamalinka.com/2011/08/15/from-dorothy-wizard-of-oz/&ei=5P5KUfTAGoqC9QTB1YGoCg&bvm=bv.44158598,d.eWU&psig=AFQjCNHvI7w7HlwlYc8qLGx2SvzgEjq51Q&ust=1363955795082910

Black & White

http://www-digitalphotographytutorial.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/black-and-white.jpg

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That said . . . Think Strategically!

Have a positive mindset

There is not one goal in this

environment

You need to consider at least three scenarios

You need to bake in nimbleness and

flexibility

You need to build comfort with

ambiguity

Build a better NEW NORMAL

THE BIG QUESTIONWHAT IS IT THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO

TODAY, THAT IF WE COULD, WOULD FUNDAMENTALLY IMPROVE OUR

LIBRARY’S SUCCESS?

What helped support our success at FOPL with our Pandemic Responses?

Lessons Learned

Invest in long-term relationships

Invest in partnerships and alliances

Invest in professional government relations counsel

Technology

◦ Learn by doing

◦CRM Software

◦Conferencing Software

◦eLearning Software

◦Build Strong Networks

Stephen Abram, MLS, FSLACEO, Lighthouse Consulting Inc.

CEO, Federation of Ontario Public LibrariesCel: 416-669-4855

stephen.abram@gmail.com

Stephen’s Lighthouse Bloghttp://stephenslighthouse.com

Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn : Stephen AbramTwitter: @sabram

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