Managing Information Services

This third edition of Jo Bryson's highly regarded Managing Information Services has been thoroughly revised with an emphasis on managing for a sustainable future. Libraries and information services face uncertain times and this new edition tackles the challenges of planning and managing change, future-proofing for tomorrow, and leading the transformation to a sustainable future. The text also addresses the integration of information services including librarianship, records management and ICT. Essential reading for information students, this text also serves as a comprehensive and detailed reference on the key management topics for information service managers.

This fourth edition of Jo Bryson's highly regarded Managing Information Services has been thoroughly revised with an emphasis on innovation. Operating in a digital era, libraries must innovate to survive and grow. This means librarians having radical ideas which challenge the status quo, shifting strategic directions to change the way services are managed, and developing new skills and knowledge. Challenges include developing new uses for floorspace, where shelving is being replaced by mobile networking, and new practices and procedures for managing new products such as e-books and self-service. Libraries can achieve long term sustainability by information managers having more creative responses and developing innovative thinking. Essential reading for information students, this text also serves as a comprehensive and detailed reference on the key management topics for information service managers.

This sophisticated primer draws together in an accessible form the principles of management as they need to be understood by library and information professionals. Written by a practising library manager and a management academic, the text introduces and applies the latest management concepts to library management practice. Since most libraries are part of a wider organization, their management practice will be influenced by that organizational setting, whether the setting be a university, a local authority or a business. Responding effectively within this organizational context is a key theme that runs through this text. Library management is concerned with managing collections, people, services, resources, information and finance, but managers also need to work beyond the confines of the library. They need to understand and influence their environment, to respond to the power and politics of a situation, to contribute to strategic direction in arenas related to knowledge management, learning and information, and to promote their own careers. The scene is set through the first two chapters, on management and organizations respectively. The first chapter covers the nature of management, management roles and competencies, and reviews the range and scope of library management. The second chapter focuses on the organizational context in which management is performed. The core of the book is a series of chapters in some of the key areas that constitute the management role: people, and their behaviour and management, marketing and user relationships, quality management, finances and resources, environment and context, and strategy and planning. Each chapter is well illustrated with relevant examples, checklists and models. Chapters conclude with a list of further reading, and a list of review topics, which can be used as the basis for revision for study purposes, or as a prompt to encourage reflection on the content of the book, for the professional reader. Key areas covered: management and managing organizations people in organizations human resource management marketing and user relationships quality management finance and resources environment and context strategy and planning. Readership: This book will be a key text for students of library and information management, designed to introduce them to the practice, experience and theoretical principles of library management. In particular it should prepare them for their first posts as library managers, and alert them to the challenges and rewards of management. Practising library managers will also benefit from revisiting some of the topics covered in the book.

Information services are currently going through what is probably the most significant period of change in their history. At the same time, thinking about organisational change in general management has continued to develop, and many of the emerging ideas, strategies and processes are increasingly relevant to information services. Since the first edition of this highly regarded book was published in 2000 the pace of change has accelerated because of the influence of digitisation and technological developments in general, the emergence of what might be called a business culture, changes in skills and knowledge requirements, and changes in user and personnel attitudes. Despite these rapid developments the current literature tends to reflect a preoccupation with technological developments at the expense of consideration for the broader managerial base. This second edition fills the gap in the literature and is fully updated with the inclusion of a number of new chapters and new case studies.

Managing the IT Service Process is the first book of its kind to recognize the truth of IT Service delivery. It takes the overall view of the service management process and links together the elements of service level management, systems availability, costs and benchmarking, and the helpdesk. In the last 5 years there has been a major structural shift in the IT industry with the traditional position of Helpdesk Manager being replaced by a new function of IT Services Manager. The industry is now concentrating on the formulation of an end-to-end service process that replaces the previous norm of several disparate and non-integrated sections in an IT department such as the helpdesk, applications maintenance, operations, development procurement and systems management. Managers are focusing on a totality of management so they can correlate costs and processes and offer their customers an integrated service. Managing the IT Services Process is an instructional manual written by an acknowledged industry expert and includes techniques, charts, methods, case studies and anecdotes to support the text. The author encourages the reader to formulate an end-to-end IT service process by using a step by step approach. The text describes and encourages integration in IT and therefore will be useful for managers involved in the unified process.

Western Australian author. This book which covers a full range of information management topics.

Information in today’s modernized world has become much more attainable with the use of technology. A resource that has fallen victim to this are library services. What was once a staple of knowledge and communication has failed to keep pace with recent advancements in information service providers. Library practitioners need to learn how to manage change, build influence, and adapt their services to remain relevant within local communities. Libraries can continue to play a key role in future aspects of information provision, but proper research is a necessity. Managing and Adapting Library Information Services for Future Users is a collection of innovative research that encapsulates practices, concepts, ideas, and proposals that would chart pathways for libraries of all types to envision and understand how to thrive and remain relevant in the competitive information provision environment. It is expected to motivate librarians and information scientists to probe further into how libraries would better serve user communities of the 21st century who have options of accessing information from sources other than from libraries. While highlighting topics including artificial intelligence, human design thinking, and alternative finance, this book is ideally designed for librarians, information specialists, architects, data scientists, researchers, community development practitioners, policymakers, faculty members, and students seeking current research on emerging advancements in library optimization.

This new edition of Managing Information Services has been significantly revised and restructured to reflect the need for libraries and information services to manage the transformation necessary to become more relevant to the knowledge age's dynamic, customer-centred environment. It reflects the move from managing physical assets to exploiting knowledge, technology and innovation; new models of learning; global, mobile communication and new delivery mechanisms with a focus on relationships. Introductory sections on management and strategic influences emphasise the importance of knowledge management skills, teamworking, corporate responsibility and customer satisfaction as a driver for change. A new section on corporate governance has been added that includes managing different forms of capital, and there is expanded coverage of investment, security, risk management and business continuity. Maintaining a competitive advantage through service quality and multiple delivery channels is another theme found throughout the book. comprehensive and yet sufficiently detailed reference on the key management subjects for information service managers.