08 11 2019 rio grande route 66 succeeding in the world of special librarianship final

Vancouver • Boston• LosAngeles• Nottingham lucidea.com
Succeeding in the World of Special Librarianship:
What is the Future of the Special Librarian?
August 11, 2019
SLA Rio Grande Chapter
Route 66 Conference
Presented by:
Stephen Abram

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Head’s up!
Lucidea Press 2018
©2018 Lucidea Press

Supported by a series of live
and recorded webinars
Feb.21,2018 Introduction—FrameworkandPhilosophy(Available)
Mar.29,2018 Relationships:TheFoundationofEverything(Available)
Apr.25,2018 Technology:PuttingitinitsPlace(Available)
May23,2018 Strategy:KnowingWhereYouWanttoBe(Available)
July 18,2018 Execution:JustDoIt!(Available)
Aug.15,2018 MarketingandSellingAreNotDirtyWords(Available)
Sep.12,2018 InnovationandManagingRisk(Available)
Oct.9,2018 ManagingInternalCommunicationforImpactandValue(Available)
Nov.14,2018 DescribingYourself–NOTtheLibrary(Today!)
Dec.14,2018 ConclusionandInspiration
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THIS CONFERENCE…
Getting to Joe

STRIKING A BALANCE
The Power of High Touch
in a High Tech World

Two Solitudes
Building the Sustainable Library
RELEVANCE

Setting Expectations
The Sustainable Library comes from us!
It’s aligned with Institutional Expectations but the energy to move
forward is in our hands. Being great doesn’t require ‘permission’.

Two Solitudes Benefits
The Sustainable Library depends upon:
Stretching the Image
Growing the Relationships
Building the Staff Competencies
Being an Essential Service (not a source)
Engagement

What are the conflicts in two solitudes?
On the one hand . . .
• Hi Tech
• High Engagement
• Portfolio Management
• Cadillac (Custom)
• Value Driven
On the other hand . . .
• Hi Touch
• Fast Service
• Transaction Management
• Volkswagen (For the Masses)
• ROI / ROE / Line item-driven

The Solution is not the same for ALL. It’s in the
Balance.
Something like this?

We set the expectations
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The responsibility for effective communication is on the
communicator
—not the listener
The Sustainable Library comes from us!
It’s aligned with institutional expectations—but the energy to move
forward is in our hands
Being great doesn’t require permission

Are Librarians Experts?
Where does your value lie?
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Are librarians actually experts? If so, what are we expert
at? What is our expertise?
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The Oxford English Dictionary (via Google) offers this
definition of an ”expert”:
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Noun
A person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a
particular area.
"experts in child development”
Synonyms: specialist, authority, pundit; adept, maestro, virtuoso, master, past master,
wizard; connoisseur, aficionado;
informal ace, buff, pro, techie, whiz, hotshot, maven, crackerjack
"she is an art expert

Are librarians actually experts? If so, what are we expert
at? What is our expertise?
Adjective:
Having or involving authoritative knowledge.
"he had received expert academic advice”
Synonyms: skillful, skilled, adept, accomplished, talented, fine; master, masterly,
brilliant, virtuoso, magnificent, outstanding, great, exceptional, excellent, first-class, first-
rate, superb; proficient, good, able, capable, experienced, practiced, knowledgeable
informal ace, crack, mean
"an expert chess player”
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And the OED (again via Google) defines “expertise”
thusly:
Noun:
Expert skill or knowledge in a particular field.
"technical expertise"
Synonyms: skill, skillfulness, expertness, prowess, proficiency, competence;
knowledge, mastery, ability, aptitude, facility, capability;
informal know-how
"a high level of expertise in psychiatry is required"
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So, I ask you, what are special librarians
and information professionals “expert” at?
What is our expertise? Said another way, if
we were called upon to testify in a court
case, how would we represent ourselves?
When does one qualify as an expert
witness?
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Expert Witnesses
“An expert witness, professional witness or judicial expert is a witness, who by virtue of
education, training, skill, or experience, is believed to have expertise and specialized
knowledge in a particular subject beyond that of the average person, sufficient that
others may officially and legally rely upon the witness's specialized (scientific, technical
or other) opinion about an evidence or fact issue within the scope of his expertise,
referred to as the expert opinion, as an assistance to the fact-finder. Expert witnesses
may also deliver expert evidence about facts from the domain of their expertise. At
times, their testimony may be rebutted with a learned treatise, sometimes to the
detriment of their reputations.” (Wikipedia)
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So, back to our question . . . are librarians actually
experts? If so, what are we expert at? What is our
expertise?
We seem to meet the criteria: we have an accredited education, a valued credential,
experiences and abilities in an occupation, and, indeed, a profession, a calling.
Worryingly, there are emergent expert systems for which the definition above suggests
that they might outperform human experts.
And, more importantly, how do we communicate our expertness? What is our expertise
and what territory can we rightly or realistically claim? What do we want our clients to
know about our expertise?
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What are the benefits of being an ‘expert’?
An expert derives some benefits from being so perceived. These include public respect
for your skills, moderate understanding of what you bring to the table, some simple
trust for your competencies, and, arguably, compensation differences if you’re an
accredited professional (vis-a-vis lawyers, doctors, engineers, therapists, etc.). You also
may pass hurdles like employment credentials or be accepted for skills based on your
education and credentials rather than being tested by your employer as part of the
hiring process.
Those are good things
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How does this work in a technological field?
There is no doubt that technology is not the place for lone wolves – despite the Steve
Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg et al mythology. Successfully leveraging technology is a team
effort and no one person can hold all the keys.
So, we must represent our expertise – and expertness – in context: as part of teams.
Many IT/IS folks are pretty knowledgeable in related areas, but our teamwork with
them on issues of user experience, research competencies, metadata, ontologies,
taxonomies and so forth can be (and often is) critical to many projects’ or enterprise’s
success.
We all have stories about how our experience, talents and expertise were
demonstrated through asking the right question(s) or clarifying/identifying a research
need or process that turned a project in the right direction.
Many of us have great stories of our impact on the work of our clients, in our
organizations.
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Hiding our light …
Sadly, I don’t have a simple and concise answer for what makes us all experts. Rats!
I do believe that we are.
When asked, I say that ‘I know how to orchestrate information so that knowledge
creation happens seamlessly’.
I’ve discovered that, for me, this generates better conversations than does using the “L”
word.
I also believe we’re too deferential and don’t promote our expertise consistently
enough. A lot of what we do looks like magic, because it happens in our heads and
through experience with us – not as some tangible result.
Therefore, it behooves us make sure we develop better strategies for representing our
intangible contributions to our employers’ successes.
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We improve the quality of
questions and decisions.
That’s why we organize, label, store, digitize, license, build, teach, train, and
more. Our foundation is professional standards, networks, and continuous
learning and adaptation.
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Tips for shining a light …
• Know deeply what your expertise is (and isn’t) and exactly how it aligns with your
clients’ needs and talents
• Don’t be arrogant (that’s harder than you may think!) but still be confident
• Tell stories and back them up with data, measures, facts, proofs (not the other way
around)
• Get and use testimonials – and use them with your client’s peers
• Keep text tight and use visuals and graphics for impact
• Build relationships on many levels – friendships, colleagues, acquaintances,
professionals, peers, et al
• Collect and use testimonials (even through regular reference, questions, or project
surveys)
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Tips for shining a light …
• Have something more than an elevator speech (but have that too)
• Eye contact, eye contact, eye contact
• Use the right body language – reflect the listener
• Use the right words for the situation – avoid library jargon
• Communicate what efforts and decisions you made when delivering the results –
don’t just think clients know already
• Think strategically about your business cards, workspace décor, e-mail signatures, &
personal brand.
• Align with your culture visually and in words and actions
• Chill out, relax, get comfy – remain approachable
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"Beware curation that doesn't
add focus, value and insight.
That's just noise." - Robin
Good
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Digital curation
“Digital curation is the selection, preservation, maintenance, collection and
archiving of digital assets. Digital curation establishes, maintains and adds
value to repositories of digital data for present and future use. This is often
accomplished by archivists, librarians, scientists, historians, and scholars.
Enterprises are starting to utilize digital curation to improve the quality of
information and data within their operational and strategic processes.
Successful digital curation will mitigate digital obsolescence, keeping the
information accessible to users indefinitely.
The term curation in the past commonly referred to museum and library
professionals. It has since been applied to interaction with social media
including compiling digital images, web links and movie files.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_curation
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Curator
“A curator (from Latin: curare meaning "take care") is a manager or overseer.
Traditionally, a curator or keeper of a cultural heritage institution (e.g., gallery,
museum, library, or archive) is a content specialist responsible for an institution's
collections and involved with the interpretation of heritage material. The object
of a traditional curator's concern necessarily involves tangible objects of some
sort, whether it be artwork, collectibles, historic items or scientific collections.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curator
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POINT OF VIEW
What is ‘point of view′?
• a specified or stated manner of
consideration or appraisal; standpoint.
• an opinion, attitude, or judgment.
• the beliefs or views of a large number or
majority of people about a particular
thing
• an estimation of the quality or worth of
someone or something.

The role of 'view' and 'opinion'
Don't refer to what someone thinks or believes about a particular
subject as their 'point of view'. Refer to it as their standpoint, view or
opinion. You can use expressions such as ‘in my opinion’ or ‘in his view’
to show that something is an opinion, and may not be a fact.
What is a ‘professional’ opinion?
“Professional” judgment. This is different, but related to such concepts
as public opinion, group opinion, scientific opinion, legal opinion, judicial
opinion, medical opinion, or editorial opinion.
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Opinion versus Professional Opinion

Don’t neglect the importance of the cover memo. Even if this is just a handwritten
note, formal memo or introduction to a report or package, ensure that you
clearly state the professional decisions you made the quality of the resources
you used.
Sign your work. Don’t just sign the reference and research results deliveries to
individuals and teams, also make sure that you add your authorship on digital
products such as LibGuides, portals, posts, e-mails, dashboards, and e-
newsletters.
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Strategic Implications for
Information Professionals

Use professional language that differentiates your contribution
from the original authorship of the content you provide. Start by
outlining the comprehensiveness and limits of your research.
Then make sure to share your opinion on the qualities of the
content you’re delivering, note knowledge gaps, opportunities for
further investigation, and any biases you detect. Start sentences
with phrases like “In my professional opinion”, “The profession of
librarianship regards this source as …”, or “This content was
selected by the information professionals in our organization as
authoritative and complete”, etc. Promote your personal name(s)
as well as your library or team brand.
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Be part of the storyline. Don’t just stay focused on your contributions to the question
of the moment or the fire you’re fighting. Be clear on how what you do and what
you create makes a difference in the real business of your organization. Know and
tell your story of impact, and commit to being known as a contributor —not only
for delivering information quickly and well.
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“In my opinion . . .”
“My experience tells me that …”
“My best advice is . . .”
“My considered opinion is . . .”
“If it was my choice, I would . . .
“My research tells me that . . .”
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It Takes Practice

What’s the theme here?
YOU’RE IN CONTROL
YOU’RE STRATEGIC
YOU’RE ALIGNED
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What Favours Success?
RELATIONSHIPS
SPEAKING UP
EMBEDDING
CHAMPIONS
BEING A GURU
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We earn the right to have an opinion by being experts.
When we have experience and informed perspective,
that right is earned, and we increase our value to our
enterprises.
We have a duty to ensure our users are informed. We
have a duty to make sure that our opinions are
informed too.
An informed opinion will take you far.
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Keep the Goal in Mind
• Your and your client’s real goals
• Look for evidence you’re succeeding
• Respect
• Communication (your stories become their stories)
• Acknowledgement (public and private)
• Impact
• Measurements of progress - milestones
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Strategies Towards More Sustainability
CULTURE
Assess Organizational Culture
Assess Staff Culture
Build and Environment for Staff Motivation
Target your engagement strategies
Partner for your Fast Service Strategies

TECHNOLOGY
Assess the balance between low value delivery and higher value services
Balance Intranet to demonstrate efficiencies and effectiveness
Combine Intranet orientations and training with high value activities
Separate service portfolio activities into low and high value (yes it’s hard and isn’t
related to underlying cost!)
Productize your custom, interpersonal, and impactful activities.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT
Sustain an environment for Staff Motivation (That’s you as a Leader)
Focus on the soft competencies that add value
Provide staff with context for the dual strategy of High-Tech / High Touch
Coach – don’t direct

RELATIONSHIPS
Work on a CRM and individual Client/User/Faculty profiles
Build Partnerships
Deal with the Solitudes – Tech Support versus Information Professionals (Discuss –
Align – Contract- Meet - Implement)
Ensure you’re cost effective – Tear down walls and territorial lines

MARKETING … and Sales
Integrate relationship marketing into your staff, technology, and portfolio strategies
Collect Testimonials
Survey – often and small
Find nuggets of opportunity
Look for opportunities to refresh the displays on your ILS, Intranet, website – images
and content age fast

Get Out of Your Own
Way!

Be Brutally Aware and Honest
It requires a strong critical look at your own operations
and the entire enterprise.
• Is your technology up-to-date?
• Is your technology platform sustainable?
• Are your staff prepared to take on the new challenges with the
right competencies?
• Are your users ready for the change(s)?
• Are you fiscally ready to invest?
• Do you have an executive champion?
• Do you know your users? Can you communicate with them easily using many
channels?
• Do you know your numbers (statistics, budget, usage, etc.)?
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Dusty, Meaningless Strategic Plans

So, concluding on strategy
• Do some “deep” research
• Have 3 conversations a day
• Set aside time for reflection
• Schedule key meetings and coffees/teas
• Share yourself and listen
Succeeding in the World
of Special Librarianship
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Knowing Yourself
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StrengthsFinder 2.0
[http://strengths.gallup.com/110440/about-strengthsfinder-20.aspx]

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The Introvert Advantage: How Quiet People Can Thrive
in an Extrovert World,
and
Introverts and Extroverts in Organizations:
Understanding the Importance
of Both Personality Types

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A metaphor . . .
Build Your Nest

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A metaphor . . .
Build Your Nest

If you’re stuck in a rut then maybe you need to change your approach to your work
life. These tips might help:
Try not to stress!
Help your colleagues
Take a break
Stay active
Focus on your achievements
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Professional Opinion

Why do you want to change?
What are your interests?
What are your values?
What kind of work would you like to do?
What are your skills and capabilities?
Will you regret it if you don’t?
What makes you feel engaged and passionate
about your day when you wake up? Seek that!
You must find what you love about work
and use that as a key to your work life’s
happiness.
(Adaptedfromhttps://www.blueoctopus.co.uk/blogtopus/love-your-job)
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Changing your work life:

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As Confucius said (perhaps),
“Choose a job you love and you will never have
to work a day in your life.”

Is Failure an Option?
FAIL: Found Another Interesting Lesson
FAIL: First Attempt in Learning
FAIL: Future Always Involves Learning
FAIL: Find Another Important Lesson
FAIL: First Action in Learning
FAIL: First Attempt in Learning
FAIL: First Attempt in Life
FAIL: Flawlessly Ascending in Life
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Transformational Process
Data
Information
Knowledge
Behaviour
Norm
Form
Transform
Perform
SUCCESS
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Information
Engagement
Levels
Read/View
Argue/Defend
Present/Teach
Stimulate/Live
Act on/ Discuss Content
Source
Situation
Source: Dr. Thomas Davenport
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Self-Promotion is Not a Dirty Word.

Just to be clear . . .
YOU are the main product!
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7 Step Actionable Marketing Framework
1. Define your goals.
2. Identify your target audience.
3. Create the offer.
4. Develop creative including brand.
5. Choose your media/format (aka Channel).
6. Test your marketing.
7. Determine your success metrics.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/GetMotivated/comments/5kx7fs/image_the_emotional_journey_of_creating_anythin
g/

08 11 2019 rio grande route 66 succeeding in the world of special librarianship final

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