Special Libraries: A Survival Guide

(Paperback)

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Description

Learn why special or corporate libraries must align with their parent organizations in order to survive in these difficult economic timesand how to foster and demonstrate this critical relationship. Special Libraries: A Survival Guide analyzes what has happenedand is still continuing to happento 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.

Reviews

The book constitutes a master class in planning for specialized information services. It is a must-read for special librarians concerned about their professional futures and is equally relevant for educators charged with developing competencies in library students. I highly recommend that library science educators include the book in their curricula, and I urge every special librarian to treat the book as a daily companion. We owe Matarazzo and Pearlstein a huge gratitude for having 'pulled it all together' for us * Information Outlook *
Readers will gain insight into closure avoidance strategies by digesting the content of this well-written, straightforward book. The writers do emphasize special libraries, but the strategies and models could easily be adapted to academic and public library situations. The book is highly recommended for special/corporate libraries and academic libraries that support schools of library and information science. * ARBA *

Author Bio

James M. Matarazzo, PhD, is dean and professor emeritus at the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Simmons College, Boston, MA. Toby Pearlstein, PhD, is retired director of global information services for Bain & Company, Inc., a strategic management consulting firm.