This document discusses managing change, partnerships, and collaborations for libraries. It begins by reassuring those feeling anxious about the future that circumstances help frame potential changes over time. The document identifies some changes to consider, like increased mobile use and privacy concerns. It emphasizes that libraries should focus on becoming information services rather than just libraries. Successful partnerships are a long term investment that can extend a library's reach and influence, but require strategic planning and clear terms. The document ends inviting readers to contact the author for more information.

1. CHANGES, PARTNERSHIPS, AND
COLLABORATIONS
ProQuest’s Library Futures Forum 2014
Blane K. Dessy
Library of Congress

2. ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM FUTURES
OVERLOAD? YOU ARE, IF…
 You’ve read or listened or participated in more than
one futures program in the past few weeks
 You are losing the ability to distinguish between
today, tomorrow, next week, and the future
 You’re beginning to doubt your own ability to think
clearly about your library’s future
 Everyone else’s trends seem so much cooler than
yours

3. SO, IF YOU’RE FEELING ANXIOUS ABOUT THE
FUTURE…
 So is everyone else
 The future will not inundate you today or even
tomorrow
 There is a lot to consider, but circumstances help
us frame the future
 The future often plays out slower than we think
 Take some time to reassure yourself

4. SOME POTENTIAL CHANGES THAT YOU SHOULD
CONSIDER FOR NOW AND THE FUTURE:
 Increasing use of mobile devices, applications, and
multi-sensory information
 Growth of the “sharing culture”—new forms of
cooperation
 Increased concern about Information Security and
Privacy
 Changing patrons needs based upon new types of data
such as big data sets
 Redefining your own role in this new environment

5. MY THOUGHTS ON CHANGE
 You are the change agent, no one else can do this
for you; speak of yourself as the change, not
external circumstances
 More emphasis on adaptable information workers,
less on “librarians”
 Less focus on “library” and more focus on
information services
 More accountability and more support of the core
mission--loyalty to the agency, not just the library
 Greater need for marketing and public relations

6. MY THOUGHTS ON PARTNERSHIPS
 Think strategically about your partnerships—they’re
a long term investment
 Think outside of the usual library environment—
become more than what your library is now
 Think about those partnerships that can extend
your reach and your influence
 Think carefully about what the partnership
involves—obligations, funds, legalities, etc.
 Put a timeframe on the partnership and then renew
or cancel as needed
 Have fun with them

7. MANAGING YOUR PARTNERSHIPS AND
COLLABORATIONS
 What is your current inventory of partnerships and
collaborations?
 How does each one contribute to the success of
your library and your agency?
 Where are the gaps or opportunities in your
partnerships/collaborations portfolio?
 What organizations can help you to fill these gaps,
increase your effectiveness, and/or expand your
range of services?
 What does your library bring to the partnership or
collaboration?
 What measurable outcomes can you identify?

8. MY OWN EXAMPLE:
 Current inventory
 Who
 What
 Why
 Terms
 Outcomes
 Partnerships/Collaborations Goals:
 Collections and Access
 Training and Development
 Geographic Coverage
 Language Capability

9. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
 Blane K. Dessy
 Library of Congress
 bdes@loc.gov
 (202) 707-3032