Here’s the final part of this two-part article about the library word that dare not be heard aloud: productivity. If you missed the first part, take a look at the April 2006 SirsiDynix OneSource.

In the first part of the article, I pointed out that if libraries want to position a greater number of resources on developing new ways to interact more engagingly with our users, both virtually and in our facilities, we need to free up staff and monetary resources and point them at these initiatives.

Let’s continue to take a strategic look at third-party products and add-ons to the SirsiDynix systems through the lens of productivity improvement. Look for the opportunities in these areas to improve your library’s performance using these types of solutions.

Server and Traffic Management

SirsiDynix offers a new service called LiveNetwork™, a powerful integrated solution providing libraries unparalleled networking management capabilities. Fully managed by SirsiDynix and compatible with virtually any integrated library system (ILS), LiveNetwork provides libraries unprecedented visibility, control, and protection over your network resources. This comprehensive service delivers traffic regulation, bandwidth optimization, custom real-time reporting, trend analysis, instant visibility, and unique protection from spyware, viruses, and other malicious software.

In many cases, valuable bandwidth is consumed by Internet browsing, spyware, and viruses, which in turn slow down libraries’ ILS tools. It can also slow down your internal systems, having a deleterious impact on staff productivity. With LiveNetwork, SirsiDynix instantly identifies the trouble spots on a network and rectifies the situation by prioritizing network resources and reallocating bandwidth. Moreover, LiveNetwork enables libraries to see, at a glance, how network resources and bandwidth are being used in real-time, whether it’s peer-to-peer, streaming media, or simply Web surfing. SirsiDynix provides automated reports on usage, as well as recommendations for improvements. LiveNetwork can even send alerts related to network traffic and specific URL requests, such as those with sexual or violent content.

The result is five times or greater improved performance for networking applications. You can even set the priority for staff workstations during working hours. Some clients find they no longer need to spend additional funds to increase bandwidth. This is the essence of productivity in the Web world – you’re only as fast as your network allows you to be. Are you ensuring that you’re getting optimal performance from your systems?

Collection Development

The SirsiDynix efforts in providing tools that allow for more effective targeting of collection development are the best in the sector. SirsiDynix Director’s Station™ lets you have a window on the usage of your collection and what areas are underused and over-used, and what areas are growing in usage, perhaps based on changing demographics. 

The Normative Data Project, sponsored by SirsiDynix and Florida State University, allows you to compare your usage dynamics to those of similar cohorts nationwide. Collection development is one of the top expense areas in libraries after facilities and staff. Are we spending our dollars as wisely as we could? With these tools we can test our assumptions about our patrons’ borrowing behaviors and align our acquisitions accordingly. We can then test that our insights worked through future collection usage statistics. We are long past the days when acquisitions can be based on the opinions of a single selector.

Reference

This is the next area in our libraries which will be stressed for change and higher productivity. This will be driven by the increasing demand by users for virtual access to librarian-style services that we’re seeing. Virtual reference through services like Docutek VRLplus and other instant messenger (IM)- and Ask A Librarian-style services are leading indicators of this trend.

Performance can be reviewed and measured in these environments in a way different from traditional reference desk work. Transcripts of reference transactions can be reviewed for improvement. Whole reference teams can learn from each other’s work.

I predict that this will be a huge area where performance management will be informed by the tools that are emerging. As more libraries adopt the “commons” model of information commons, learning commons, computer commons, and reference commons, there will be plenty of demands for proof that these strategies are working or improving service. On the whole, this is the area that offers that greatest opportunity for increasing customer satisfaction in a virtual world.

Portal “Glocalization”

The challenge of building our virtual presences is manifold. First, many libraries are finding that this virtual use now comprises the majority of their users now. Second, the virtual presence needs to represent the world of information, the systems resources,as well as a local and personal experience – simultaneously!

SirsiDynix’s portal solutions (EPS/HIP) have been designed to support all of these modalities in the most efficient way possible. For any type of library, of any size, we have the ability to create a dynamic user experience that is both local, system-wide, and international,while respecting the stresses on the library staff to accomplish this feat.

When it comes to Web content management, the SirsiDynix Rooms™ and SchoolRooms™ solutions have been proven in academic, school, special, and public library settings. Each implementation builds on the creativity, collections, and innovation of teams of librarians and content experts. It is possible to build content experiences that transform communities – cost effectively. We know; we and our clients have done it.

Consulting and Training

The SirsiDynix consulting group is there to support you. They can perform workflow reviews, technology audits, and other services to identify the areas where your library can focus to improve productivity and save time and dollars. SirsiDynix can also show you where the new Java client offers the ability to build improvements to workflow with such tools as Java programs, scripts, and API programs.

You might also consider the role training plays in ensuring that you’re getting the most value out of your technology investments. Training delivered through Web-based e-learning is very cost-effective and can reduce the cost burden of classroom time or travel. 

When was the last time you had a review performed and looked at it through the productivity lens? 

Management

If there has been any thread in our experience in improving the productivity of libraries, it has been that strong teams implement good solutions. Strong teams are both vertical and horizontal. Strong teams talk openly about the goals contained in the library’s strategic vision. Strong teams discuss the elephants in the room. Strong teams are real cross-functional teams and cross the boundaries of hierarchy and organization charts. Strong teams are honest and empower their colleagues. Strong teams partner well with their vendors, their suppliers,and their funders.

Have you reviewed your team’s culture and looked at where your team’s strengths are and where improvements can be made? What would you improve to achieve your vision?

Conclusion

I believe that most of these innovations do pay for themselves over time. When they are well thought out and implemented, they are almost guaranteed to bring results. Some pay back very quickly when they are adopted and supported throughout the institution. Others only pay off if you change the way things are being done and don’t allow legacy ways of work to duplicate the new effort or undermine the project.

Each innovation can be implemented in safe mode. Pilots, experiments, and trials are great ways to start. You can identify a single branch to try new ways of work and learn how it plays out in your workplace and community. You can staff that branch with your more flexible people that have the network and communication skills to spread the innovation throughout your system, when its benefits are clear and proven. These methods allow you to take transformational risks without betting your stake.

Lastly, if we don’t do it to ourselves and prove that we’re excellent managers and leaders - before a crisis hits - someone will come along and do it to us. Be prepared to prove your excellence.

“Would those who say it cannot be done please get out of the way of those of us who are already doing it?”  - Old proverb

Stephen Abram, MLS is Vice President, Innovation for SirsiDynix. He is an SLA Fellow and will be president-elect of SLA in June 2006.  He is the past president of the Ontario Library Association and the immediate past president of the Canadian Library Association. In June 2003 he was awarded SLA’s John Cotton Dana Award. Stephen would love to hear from you at stephen.abram@sirsidynix.com.