A library management response model against the economic crisis

Abstract

Purpose -Libraries in Greece are mostly financed by public sources, with private funding covering only a very small proportion of their budget. The deteriorating, slowly growing economic environment in Greece places additional pressure on the already understaffed and underfinanced public libraries. This paper aims at demonstrating that the tough economic conditions may provide a setting for innovation and quality enhancement which may lead in turn to a corresponding growth in the library sector. Design/methodology/approach -A qualitative analysis is conducted in order to identify the potential of a novel management response model as a pathway for library survival within the fierce economic crisis. Findings -Specific suggestions are made for the management of public libraries, future policies and trends in the lines of learning/education/training services; social/economic development services; electronic government and citizen participation in public affairs services; cultural identity and social cohesion services; and social inclusion services. Practical/implications -It is ascertained that public libraries in Greece may have an opportunity for change and innovation as a result of the current economic situation. Furthermore, it is believed that active involvement, quality, innovation and self-finance can serve as important tools for the development of public libraries and their positive contribution and productive role into the Greek socioeconomic environment. Originality/value -This is the only available work providing an overall management approach for public libraries within a current economic crisis such as the one in Greece.

The impact of the economic crisis on Spanish university libraries

“…Studies conducted by Kostagiolas and Margiola (2011) and Kostagiolas et al (2013) reveal that the increase in the funding of university libraries implemented up to 2009 due to grants from the European Union was dramatically reduced during the 2010-2012 period by 50% for operational expenditures and 20% for staff expenditures. Giannakopoulos et al (2014) indicate that in 2013, 85.2% of Greek university libraries had their funding reduced, producing an outcome that translated into the reduction of information resources and maintenance expenditures and investments.…”

Exploring the Significant Differences in the Importance and Frequency of Librarians’ Duties among Different Library Sizes

“…Taking into account their external and internal environments, libraries should be able to identify actions necessary to continue playing an active role in their communities (Kostagiolas et al, 2009). It is vital for libraries to offer new services designed to meet the needs of users and the local community regarding unemployment, business opportunities, decision-making, new information technology, and literacy (Vassilakaki, 2015), and scholars have also indicated the imperative role of innovative information services (Kostagiolas et al, 2011;Vassilakaki and Moniarou-Papaconstantinou, 2016). Moreover, in the current environment, researchers have highlighted the significance of human capital in achieving high performance (Asonitis and Kostagiolas, 2010).…”

Gestão da inovação em bibliotecas: elementos fundamentais de revisão de literatura internacional

“…Nesse contexto, as bibliotecas também enfrentam novas pressões econô-micas e sociais para que os serviços de informação sejam capazes satisfazer constantemente as necessidades de informações reais (explicitas ou implí-citas), bem como atendam as expectativas dos usuários (Kostagiolas et al, 2011).…”

“…Esta dinamicidade deve-se a diversos fatores pois a biblioteca está num período de transição para uma idade eletrônico-e-globalizado. Conforme Kostagiolas et al (2011), hoje em dia, as persistentes mudanças no ambiente econômico, junto com o advento das tecnologias, aponta para necessidade de implementar novos modelos de gestão que incorporem as necessidades dos usuários como prioridade na filosofia dos serviços de biblioteca.…”