Librarians: it’s time to come out of your

shell(i)

Mary Dunne & Mairea Nelson

Mairea & Maryproductions

present

The Consultation

In today’s world longer invisibility leads to permanent disappearance

Kazi, N (2012) The Identity Crisis of Libraries in the Attention Economy. Library Philosophy and Practice, Paper 684. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/684

Creating a positive image and feeling comfortable with it are

required precursors of an advocacy campaign.

DiMattia S (2011) Advocacy and image: partners in creating a value propositions, Information Outlook, 15(2), 14-16

 

Value propositions

A value proposition is a promise of value to be delivered.

It is a statement that explains:•how we can solve stakeholder problems or improve their situation, and•why they need us and not the competition.

http://conversionxl.com/value-proposition-examples-how-to-create/

Value proposition process

Requires reflection on:

1.our stakeholders – what they need and value

2.ourselves – what skills, knowledge and competencies we have that can fulfil these needs

3.our competitors – how they meet our stakeholders’ needs, and what we provide that they do not

Your value proposition

• fast access to facts

• universal sources

• ease of use and access

• understands customer needs

• evolving innovative interactions

• one port of call

• quality, scholarly evidence to inform practice

• full text access • dedicated, personal

support & guidance

• subject expertise • instruction for effective

/ efficient discovery

Customer value

My offering Competitor offering

financial planning

24 hour query service

advertiser links

We promote informed practice by making the discovery of evidence efficient and effective

We will help you find relevant and reliable evidence to inform your practice

• fast access to facts

• universal sources

• ease of use and access

• understands customer needs

• evolving innovative interactions

• one port of call

• quality, scholarly evidence to inform practice

• full text access • dedicated, personal

support & guidance

• subject expertise • instruction for effective

/ efficient discovery

Customer value

My offering Competitor offering

financial planning

24 hour query service

advertiser links

From Widerfunnel.com

Shelli Figure 5.3 Evidence base

GoalThere is a body of evidence, with performance indicators, available at the level of individual libraries and nationally, used for service promotion and advocacy.

Current situation There is no clear evidence base to demonstrate the value of the profession and the services it provides.

HELP

HelpingEvaluateLibraryPractice

HELP forum

Provide a discussion forum on library research – focusing on evaluating value and impact

 Purpose: •To support each other through the research process•Learn from each other•Share successes and experiences•Create consistency in methods•Share research instruments e.g. questionnaires / topic guides / useful references

  We are enthusiastic amateurs rather than experts!

helpforumblog at Wordpress

And finally….

See your worth through active reflection

Hear your stakeholders – what do they value?

Outshine the competition – what do you do better?

Work-out what you want to say 

Organise your thoughts

Find your voice

Fulfil your professional potential

If we continue to value ourselves personally and

professionally, then all else becomes possible

Joanne Gard Marshall (2000) Determining our worth, communicating our value, Library Journal; 125(19), 28-30