Competition for Library Services Larry Nash White, East Carolina University In today’s information service economy, information users and customers have choices like never before as to where they obtain their information. Information seekers can literally obtain information from any where in the global market place, so the library’s service environment is experiencing increased competition for customers like they never have before. To complicate the situation further, the service environment of libraries is becoming more competitive at a time when resources to operate libraries are becoming more difficult to obtain. In order to strategically respond to these challenges, today’s libraries need to show evidence of understanding the global market place. In order to do that, they need to compete for customers, resources and community connections in innovative and strategic relationships with stakeholders. The library workplace has to have cultures and processes that support continuous innovation and entrepreneurial development or services and their delivery processes. Library leaders need to demonstrate visionary leadership that incorporates both “high touch” and “high tech” in allowing the library customer to shape and control their library experience to best meet their information needs. The presentation will review the competitors and how they are competing in the information service economy and how libraries are responding to this challenge. Examples of competitors, competitive practices, and research of library response to increasing competition will be presented. Environmental scanning, survey data, and real life examples will be used to present a picture of the current competition of the library service environment and whether libraries are demonstrating evidence of understanding the global market place. Dr. White is an Assistant Professor and Co-Interim Chair of the Department of Library Science at East Carolina University.

1. Competition for Library Services For the Inspiration, Innovation, and Celebration Conference for Librarians Dr. Larry Nash White East Carolina University

3. Is there competition for library services?

4. A Networked World

5. It’s a flat World High tech, High touch, Individualization

6. The public’s perception of libraries…

7. We offer quality services…

8. The latest technology applications…

9. We are change agents and proactive responders to challenges and problems…

11. √ You are not the ONLY provider of library and information services in your area. √ You may not even be the BEST provider of library and information services in your area. √ You may not even be the FIRST provider that your customers think of when obtaining library and information services. √ Someone would take YOUR customers from you in a New York minute if YOU let them! And THEY are trying !

13. Libraries compete with other libraries and government agencies… Libraries compete for: Staffing Resources Collaborators Partners Opportunities Appreciation Support Technology Market Share Existing Customers New Customers Finances ???

14. The Tangibles…

15. New book technologies…

16. Social networking

17. The 800 hundred pound gorilla in the room… What if … Articles and book chapters as 99¢ downloads / rentals? Google Docs and Spreadsheets - Google Calendar - Google Base - Google Maps - Google Wallet /Cart - G-Mail – GTalk – Google Scholar – Google Phone - IGoogle -

18. Search Engines galore…

19. A few more library service competitors… Abrams, Steven. “ Social Libraries and Librarians: Collaboration, Cooperation, Sharing, Storytelling, and Networking.” SLIS Johannesburg: August 24, 2007.

20. Did I say there were a few more? Abrams, Steven. “ Social Libraries and Librarians: Collaboration, Cooperation, Sharing, Storytelling, and Networking.” SLIS Johannesburg: August 24, 2007.

21. There are more than a few… Abrams, Steven. “ Social Libraries and Librarians: Collaboration, Cooperation, Sharing, Storytelling, and Networking.” SLIS Johannesburg: August 24, 2007.

22. More detailed information and access…

23. Flexibility of access…

24. Books-by-demand printing…

25. The Potentials…

26. The Hidden Competitors…

30. The Hidden… In your town ??? Video Retailers ??? Youth Programs ??? Schools (All types) ??? Reading Programs/Support ??? Libraries ??? Internet Products / Services ??? Compact Disc Retail ??? Bookstores ??? After-school programs

34. So how do we compete?

35. Stop being comfortable…

36. And do something! “ We librarians must learn that when we study something to death, … Death was not our original goal .” Steven Abram, Vice President, Innovation, Sirsi Dynix

37. Be proactive!

40. A Flat World Library Biblioteca de Santiago

42. Being a librarian in a competitive economy is not too bad…