Post on 22-Apr-2015
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Libraries Under Stress
RENAISSANCEand the Reinvention of Libraries
Library of Virginia Directors MeetingSeptember 16, 2010
Stephen Abram, MLSVice President
Cengage Learning (Gale)
Thank you for inviting me!
I want to share:Major upcoming trends and challenges New National data on User Satisfaction
New Virginia Data on QuestionsAnd I want to meet you.
GOOG
Let’s explore each, but first let’s remember history;
The History of Unintended Consequences
And Unpredictability
7 Things have ChangedA LOT!
• Books• Media• Mobility• Collections• Legal Frameworks• Cardholders, Users, Members, Patrons,
Clients, Customers• Libraries
“The Internet has now progressed to its infancy”
What We Never Really Knew Before (US/Canada)
27% of our users are under 18. 59% are female. 29% are college students. 5% are professors and 6% are teachers. On any given day, 35% of our users are there for the
very first time! Only 29% found the databases via the library website. 59% found what they were looking for on their first
search. 72% trusted our content more than what they found
on Google. But, 81% still use Google.
Books
Google EditionsGoogle SettlementAmazonGutenbergEtc.
Is Our FocusOn BooksAnd PublicImage Limiting OurFuture Success?
A window of opportunity
TransmogrifyingContainers
Do we really care about containers?
Paper -- SchmpaperDigital – SchmidgitalHolograph . . . Pffft!
Devices like iPads, Kobos,
Kindles, Nooks, eDGe,
and Mobile
Supporting the 21st Century book experience?
Borders Kobo, B&N Nook, Amazon Kindle, Apple iPad, Sony, etc. . . .
What about censorship?Freedom of expression?Freedom….in general
Reinvention, Creativity, Renaissance
• eBooks and Books• Concept of place• Privacy• Colour• Animation• Video• Wireless opportunity• Tracking• Pedagogy• Boundarylessness• Connect to the author or team• Added features and commentary• Connect to book clubs, discussions, etc.
People
People are Changing
• Demographic– south, Millennial, Boomer,+• IQ Increases• Increased educational attainment & engagement• eBooks outsell hard cover books, and will outsell
paperbacks soon (2011)• Some libraries are crediting most cardholder
growth to e-book accessibility• Personal device proliferation• Social networking is beyond ‘normal’
People Have Changed
• Twitter & Facebook are dominated by the middle aged
• Social networks fastest growing populations are seniors and will be more international and less urban.
• eBooks usage is largely middle-aged.• Mobile is growing beyond youth very quickly• Workplace use is huge
Media
The Move to Streaming• Like wax, vinyl and tape before it CD and DVD will
decline to very small niche markets• Blockbuster’s imminent bankruptcy and the
decline of local independent rental stores is a canary in the mine
• Many PL’s confuse the current uptick with a LT trend.
• Music and Video entertainment vs. programs related to hobbies, children, etc.
• Educational video is an emerging sector integrated very tightly into content
Reinvention, Creativity, Renaissance
• Streaming Media on demand• Definition of ‘use’.• Concept of place• Concept of News and Entertainment• End of physical format (DVD, tape, etc.)• Self published animation & video• Commentary, Reviews and Collectors• Wireless opportunity• Tracking• Pedagogy• Boundarylessness• End of collections as we know them • Beginning of media bibliography
Mobility
02-25-10 [http://www.offthemark.com/daily.php/?go=1264392000] 02-25-10
& AMAZON
Broadband
• The Whitespace Decision• Local wired• To the Home and workplace• Wireless as a business strategy (Starbucks)• Mobile dominates• Largest generation
Driving User to the Library
• Encyclopedia.com• HighBeam• WorldCat• AccessMyLibrary iPhone App• Questia• Geo-IP measures• Etc.• Watch for more . . .?
Reinvention, Creativity, Renaissance
• Mobility• Concept of place• Social animation and Sharing• Convergence on steroids• Wireless opportunity• Tracking• Pedagogy and Learning• Extreme demand
Collections
An New Merging Model• Just in case, Just in time, just for me models• Ripe for replacement with• Fit for Purpose
– Community– Learning– Entertainment– Social / Clubs– Research
• Beginning of the end of out-of-context Megadatabases
Growing Online and Virtual Use
• Experience Models• Widgets• API’s• SEO• Google Analytics• Geo-IP• ForeSee• Satisfaction data AND Statistics – Measure too
Reinvention, Creativity, Renaissance
• Collections• Concept of place• Ownership mutates• Personal curation and celebrity curators• Wireless opportunity• Tracking• Targeting collections • Portalization: Knowledge Portals, Learning portals
Legal FrameworksThis is the balancing act of all time
It requires politics to listen to ALL voicesIt requires an understanding of consequences
Reinvention, Creativity, Renaissance
• Legal Frameworks - INTERNATIONAL• Locus of control• Privacy• Confidentiality• Personal responsibility• Copyright• Choice• Commercial playing field• Ownership• Censorship• Government involvement• Net neutrality • Information ethics
LibrariesApproaching the End Game
The MatrixBuild it or buy it?
I my customers
Trans-LiteracyMove beyond reading & PC skills • Reading literacy• Numeracy• Critical literacy• Social literacy• Computer literacy• Web literacy• Content literacy• Written literacy
• News literacy• Technology literacy• Information literacy• Media literacy• Adaptive literacy• Research literacy• Academic literacy• Reputation, Etc.
Reinvention, Creativity, Renaissance
• Libraries• Concept of place• Improving the quality of questions• Partnering in design of experiences• Programs predominate• Community involvement• Collection management vs. ownership and
storage• Re-balancing needs• Addressing the divides
The Boomers launched mostof these digitalinitiatives. Now what are we/you going to do next?
Strategic Thinking for Libraries
1. Choosing a Future2. Setting Phased Priorities
3. Making Choices4. Taking Action
5. Doing the Next Step6. Adjusting Tactics with Experience7. Seeking Feedback and Adjusting
8. Measuring Progress
Framework for Choosing Top Priorities
• Suppose that in three years:• Majority of library use will be virtual• Majority of Non-fiction Book circulation will be e-
books• Fiction will split 50/50 – digital/print• DVD is circulation is dying• Majority of questions are virtual• Use will be 20 / 40 / 40 (in house, virtual, mobile)• Every user will be socially networked, connected and
engaged
Advance Survey Data for the Library of Virginia
Prepared by Stephen Abramand the Gale, Cengage Learning
Statistical Analysis Research Team
Reference Facet of the Library of Virginia Story
September 2010 Survey Data62 of 91 LVA library systems (68%)
Thank you!Data and Graphics are available to
LVA Members OnlyContact Gale to Learn More
Yep – You Get Questions• Health and Wellness / Community Health / Nutrition / Diet / Recovery DIY Do It
Yourself Activities and Car Repair Genealogy Test prep (SAT, ACT, occupational tests, etc. etc.) Legal Questions (including family law, divorce, adoption, etc) Hobbies, Games and Gardening Local History Consumer reviews (Choosing a car, appliance, etc.) Homework Help (grade school) Technology Skills (software, hardware, web) Government Programs, Services and Taxation Self-help/personal development Careers (jobs, counselling, etc.) Reading Choices and recommendations, books & authors Travel and Vacation, Tourism Support Supporting College credits, Distance Education, and Adult Continuing Education Personal Finance and Investments / Financial Literacy Religion and spirituality Retirement and Seniors Services General Reference / Quick Answer Questions (e.g. telephone numbers, addresses, definitions, locations, library hours and services, etc.) Coming to America or our Community (Immigration, Moving) Book Clubs / Community Reading / Summer Reading Business. Leadership and Management Parenting and Child Development Adult Literacy / ESL Entrepreneurship and Consulting Small and Medium-sized Business Support World Cultures/Understanding Our World History Studies (Civil War, WW2, etc.) Choosing a School, Program/Degree, College or University / College Planning Finding People / Biographies
Silly me! --- I forgot language learning . . .
The Baker’s Dozen: LVA Top 131. Health and Wellness / Community Health / Nutrition / Diet /
Recovery 2. DIY Do It Yourself Activities and Car Repair 3. Genealogy 4. Test prep (SAT, ACT, occupational tests, etc. etc.) 5. Legal Questions (including family law, divorce, adoption, etc) 6. Hobbies, Games and Gardening 7. Local History 8. Consumer reviews (Choosing a car, appliance, etc.) 9. Homework Help (grade school) 10. Technology Skills (software, hardware, web) 11. Government Programs, Services and Taxation 12. Self-help/personal development 13. Careers (jobs, counselling, etc.) 14. Readers Advisory was 14th
National Library Customer Satisfaction Data
Specific Database Results from Usage
Gale Cengage Learning Foresee DataYear One: Aug. 2009 – Sept. 2010
Underlying Charts Available on Request
What do we need to know?
• How do library databases compare with other web experiences and expectations?
• Who are our core virtual users?• What are user expectations for satisfaction?• How does library search compare to consumer
search like Google?• How do people find and connect with library virtual
services?• What should we ‘fix’ as a first priority?• Are end users being successful in their POV?• Are they happy? Will they come back? Tell a friend?
Gale Library Databases Compare
Very Well to Other
Web Experiences
Digging Into Satisfaction
Users willReturn and
RecommendOnce Hooked
LibrarySearch
Needs toImprove
Who uses e-Resources?
The Core User For Library
E-Resourcesis Clear
Database UsersAre Being Quite
Successful
There are Training and
CommunicationOpportunities
More Males UseLibrary
DatabasesThan Usual
There is Not A DemographicSwing in Online
Usage
Library UsersTrust Library
DatabasesMore.
School is the Sweet Spot –
But Other UsersAbound Too.
Library’s Natural Allies Are Big Users
& PotentialPartners.
Wow! Only 29% ofUsers Find
E-Resources Through Our
Websites.
And 39% of YourUsers Are in Your
Databases for For the VeryFirst Time!
Your Users Will
Recommend Your
Databases
Your Users Will
Recommend Your
Databases
Your Users Respect
Your DatabasesAs Primary
Sources
Your Users Are
Likely toReturn
Your Users Evaluate
Your Services as Meeting
Expectations.
There’s Great News!We have Room forImprovement BUT
Library Databases Compete Very Well with User Expectations and Needs Fulfillment.
The School Cycle Drives Many Usage
Scenarios
Upcoming Gale Surveys
CATS DOGSCATS
& DOGS
Strategic Implications
• Program(s) Planning Models• Tying Collections and Programs more Tightly
Together to Enhance and Protect Both• Priority Setting for 5 Years• Developing Collaborative Communication and
Promotion Plans • Developing Collaborative and Shared Staff and
User Training Models• Holding Your Heads High
Community
Stories
Conversations
Stories
Relationships
Stories
Community Networks
The Social Life of Information
Stories
Life
Stories
Connection
Stories
Personalization
Stories
Comfort
Simplicity
The power of libraries
Speak Out!
Surprise Them!
Trust Experiments!
It takes A Team: Work Together & Pick Each Other Up
Stephen Abram, MLS, FSLAVP strategic partnerships and markets
Cengage Learning (Gale)Cel: 416-669-4855
stephen.abram@cengage.comStephen’s Lighthouse Blog
http://stephenslighthouse.comFacebook: Stephen Abram
LinkedIn / Plaxo: Stephen AbramTwitter: sabram
SlideShare: StephenAbram1