Learn why special or corporate libraries must align with their parent organizations in order to survive in these difficult economic times-and how to foster and demonstrate this critical relationship.
Special Libraries: A Survival Guide analyzes what has happened-and is still continuing to happen-to corporate libraries in order to identify the strategies that must be taken to protect their staff’s survival. Through a careful examination of a series of case studies of corporate library reductions and closures, authors James M. Matarazzo and Toby Pearlstein suggest key strategies, tactics, and survival tools that all types of special library managers can use to minimize their chances of becoming a victim. The book underscores the importance of collecting data as a survival tool. Additionally, it identifies what needs to be taught to students currently enrolled in library and information science (LIS) programs to give them a leg up in careers.
This advocacy book is essential reading for staff at special/corporate libraries in the English-speaking world who wish to retain their positions, but it also contains information applicable to today’s academic, public, and even school libraries. It is appropriate for students in the field of library and information science, LIS faculty, and corporate executives responsible for the management of the information function.
Presents case studies of corporate and other special library reductions and closures and provides strategies to minimize your chances of becoming a victim
Demonstrates how to integrate your information services and skills with essential functions of your parent organization
Underscores the critical nature of documenting your contribution to your parent organization’s mission
Provides a useful predictive model to assess if your library is in danger of being severely cut back or closed outright
Makes comparisons of corporate libraries in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand
