Library Technology Guides

Libraries continue to struggle with shrinking budgets due to the economic downturn of the last couple of years. Fewer resources don’t necessarily mean putting off all investments in technology. It’s during such times that libraries benefit most by identifying technologies that might help them improve their services even despite fewer overall resources. In my April 2010 column for Computers in Libraries, I offer some of my ideas regarding technology investments and strategies worth considering even in times of shrinking budgets.

The global economic crisis of the past 2 years has brought harsh circumstances to most libraries, calling into question many of the ways that we allocate resources. Lean budgets force us to devise strategies that make the very most of the resources available. Many libraries face the reality of doing more with less, often much less. It seems like each week brings news of libraries forced to close branches, reduce hours, trim their work force, or reduce or eliminate new collections acquisitions. Even in the best of times it seems that libraries find themselves making due with fewer resources than optimal. I’ve rarely encountered libraries flush with generous levels of funding such that they don’t have to make painful choices among competing priorities. In recent times, this pain has been extreme. This context of libraries struggling through the economic downturn makes it necessary to consider the ways that technology can be used not only to reduce costs but, hopefully, to strengthen libraries’ standing relative to more prosperous times. continue reading...

(The full text of my Systems Librarian columns are available on Library Technology Guides 90 days following thier original publication in Computers in Libraries magazine.)

Marshall Breeding Nov 23, 2010 11:18:44 Link to this thread