Steven J. Bell Librarian Entrepreneurs: Demystifying A Professional Oxymoron Quick! Think of a great librarian entrepreneur. Not so easy, is it? Librarians are not well regarded as having the entrepreneurial spirit, and finding good examples of noteworthy entrepreneurial innovations within the profession is challenging. Yet you and your library colleagues may already be entrepreneurs without realizing it’s happening. Steven Bell, Associate University Librarian at Temple University, will share ideas and possibilities for tapping into our inner entrepreneurs to deliver great library experiences for our users. Together we need to understand what we mean by “librarian entrepreneur” and how innovation and creativity tie into the formula for entrepreneurial success – even at libraries. Steven J. Bell is Associate University Librarian for Research and Instructional Services at Temple University. Previously he was Director of the Library at Philadelphia University and Assistant Director at Penn’s Wharton School Library, where he also earned his Ed.D. He writes and speaks about academic librarianship, learning technologies and library management. An Adjunct Professor at Drexel University’s College of Information Science and Technology, he teaches the academic librarianship course. His website and blog, “Steven Bell’s Keeping Up Web Site” and “The Kept-Up Academic Librarian” promote current awareness skills and resources. Steven is a co-founder of the Blended Librarian’s Online Learning Community on the Learning Times Network and has participated in numerous virtual presentations. He blogs for ACRLog, ACRL’s official Weblog, and Designing Better Libraries, a blog about design thinking and library user experiences. He is co-author of the book “Academic Librarianship by Design”. Download the presentation and the handout. Also, see Steven’s ACRLOG post and his interview in UNCG’s Irma Minerva’s Audio Magazine.

1. Librarian Entrepreneurs: Demystifying A Professional Oxymoron Inspiration, Innovation, Celebration An Entrepreneurial Conference June 4, 2009 Steven Bell – bells@temple.edu Associate University Librarian Temple University

9. Seven Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs

10. Opportunistic

11. Creative Genius

12. Customer Focus

13. Persistance

14. Connect the Dots

15. Passion

16. Risk Taking

17. Design Thinking

19. What is Design Anyway?

23. Ten Tips for Aspiring Librarian Entrepreneurs

37. Add Your Voice To The Conversation

39. Questions? Discussion!