Integrating Total Quality Management In A Library Setting

Improve the delivery of library services by implementing total quality management (TQM), a system of continuous improvement employing participative management and centered on the needs of customers. Although TQM was originally designed for and successfully applied in business and manufacturing settings, this groundbreaking volume introduces strategies for translating TQM principles from the profit-based manufacturing sector to the library setting. Integrating Total Quality Management in a Library Setting shows librarians how to improve library services by implementing strategies such as employee involvement and training, problem-solving teams, statistical methods, long-term goals and thinking, and an overall recognition that the system (not the staff) is responsible for most inefficiencies. Total Quality Management in a Library Setting describes the principles of TQM, its origins, and the potential benefits and barriers to be expected when adopting quality management approaches in libraries. Chapters provide guidelines for planning and implementation to help libraries use total quality management to break down interdepartmental barriers and work on continuously improving library services. The contributors, who have begun to think about using or who are already using TQM in a library setting, present specific planning and implementation issues that can be put to immediate use in libraries. With this innovative book, library managers will learn that by working together on problem solving teams to address specific operational questions, and by developing a shared knowledge of problem-solving tools and techniques, staff members grow personally and gain a larger sense of organizational purpose. Other TQM methods introduced in this book include the concept of the internal customer, which teaches staff to recognize how other staff members use the results of their work, and the principle of continuous improvement, which enables libraries to set measurable goals based on quantitative performance indicators, and to monitor progress toward those goals.

Contents: 1. Introduction, 2. TQM and LIS Professionals, 3. Awareness of TQM among Library users and Professionals, 4. Profile of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University and Mahatma Gandhi University, 5. TQM and Demographic Characteristics of the Library Users and Professionals, 6. TQM Implementation - Findings, Suggestions and Conclusion, 7. Bibliography, 8. Index.

Bring technical and public services together to create a more user-friendly library! Written for public and technical services librarians, this vital book examines the changes in the profession that have contributed to the integration of the two services. It explores the responsibilities of public and technical services, the effect of dualism on libraries and the profession, and management concerns in this overlapping environment. With case studies and insightful predictions for the future, Integration in the Library Organization discusses the changes in the profession that have contributed to the integration of the two services. This book fills a gap in the available information about team management and the blurring of public/technical services lines in libraries. Integration in the Library Organization shows you how to create an environment of full staff cooperation within your library and provides examples of ways that other libraries have accomplished this. Here you'll discover management techniques to use in such an overlapping environment. Integration in the Library Organization discusses: the false dualism of technical services vs. public services working as partners in a team-based environment tailoring library positions to match individual skills outsourcing in Hawaii satellite cataloging operations and nonprint backlogs . . . and much more! Integration in the Library Organization will provide you with the insight you need to help your library balance and integrate technical and public services and improve the capability of your library to offer patrons quality services and large amounts of information.

Discover how librarians around the world are responding to the new demands of a fast-changing profession! More computers and fewer staff, more types of resources to catalog and less time in which to study them--these are the problems librarians are facing at the dawn of a new millennium. Managing Cataloging and the Organization of Information offers solutions from cataloging and technical services managers around the world. Contributions from Australia, Botswana, Latin America, Canada, and the United States guarantee a truly international perspective. Managing Cataloging and the Organization of Information describes new and effective ways to coordinate all aspects of automation, staffing, organization, teamwork, and work flow. These techniques have been tested in libraries ranging from small college libraries to the ancient and revered Bodleian Library and the vast Library of Congress. National libraries, academic libraries, and specialized medical and law libraries are also represented. In Managing Cataloging and the Organization of Information, catalogers and technical services managers will find useful suggestions in a number of areas, including: total quality management flexible strategies for cataloging local and remote resources cataloging operations, trends, and perspectives putting cataloging philosophy into practice staff assignments and workflow distribution building team spirit Managing Cataloging and the Organization of Information is an invaluable resource for library administrators, catalogers, library educators, technical services managers, and information scientists.

Over the years many of the libraries have become large and complex organisations presenting a challenge to a librarian. Managing a large library is a highly specialised and complicated job. Due to changing environment, especially technological one, his job has become very challenging. A librarian in such an environment should have a managerial ability of a high order, and possess different kinds of skills including technical skills in the application of information technology with adequate knowledge to solve multidimensional problems. Keeping in view, the requirements of students of library and information science, the book presents a framework of basic knowledge of management in electronic environment. Emphasis has been laid on basic issues and concepts of management. Principles of management and theories of management have been explained. Library routines have been described adequately, keeping in view the application of information technology.