Special librarians play a key role in knowledge ecosystems. Data professionals, information professionals, and knowledge workers are different.
Knowledge Ecosystems and the Pivotal Role of the Special Librarian
read more
Stephen Abram
Stephen Abram is a popular Lucidea Webinars presenter. He is the past president of SLA, and the Canadian and Ontario Library Associations. He is the CEO of Lighthouse Consulting and the executive director of the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries. He blogs personally at Stephen’s Lighthouse (www.stephenslighthouse.com).
Value of the Special Librarian and Inclusion/Diversity in Decision Making
Special librarians are organizational assets and provide unique competitive advantage; this includes diversity, inclusion, sustainability
Getting the Most from your Special Libraries Conference Experience, Part 2
Networking at conferences is intimidating, but tips from special librarian and consultant Stephen Abram, help you enjoy and learn from the experience.
Getting the Most from your Special Libraries Conference Experience, Part 1
Networking at conferences is intimidating, but tips from special librarian and consultant Stephen Abram help you enjoy and learn from the experience.
Building Your KM Nest—5 More Strategies for Special Librarians
Stephen Abram ponders knowledge management and special librarians, with strategies that facilitate growth of ideas and better decision quality.
Building Your KM Nest—5 of 10 Strategies for Special Librarians
Consultant Stephen Abram outlines strategies for idea generation and decision quality, related to knowledge management and special librarians.
The Roles and Impact of Special Librarians
Stephen Abram offers expertise on special libraries and special librarians, including their various roles and significant organizational impact.
TypeTalk: The Basics for Special Librarians
Skills for special librarians include learning from evaluative and non-evaluative personality type tests such as Myers-Briggs and The Predictive Index.
Learning Styles: The Basics for Special Librarians
Special librarians should embed learning at the core of their practice, and develop a lifelong personal learning agenda.
Personas: The Basics for Special Libraries and the ILS
The study and development of personas helps special librarians develop better products and services, and select the best integrated library systems.
Special Library Reference Interviews: Basics of a Neglected Professional Skill
Special library reference interviews cover digital resources, packaging and adding value to responses, and considering cost-value benefit(s).
Robots in Libraries: Technology Trends that Aren’t that Out-There Anymore!
Robots in libraries can provide a better research experience. Librarians should consider uses of artificial intelligence and robotics in special libraries.
Machine-Based Active Listening in Libraries: Technology Trends that Aren’t that Out-There Anymore!
Machine-based active listening in libraries can provide a better research experience. Artificial intelligence in special libraries.
Internet of Things and Libraries: Technology Trends that Aren’t “Out-There” Anymore!
Special librarians should consider the Internet of Things and Libraries: IoT will allow special library users to explore and consume content in different ways.
Predictions for Social Media in Libraries: Technology Trends that Aren’t “Out-There” Anymore!
Special librarians can leverage social media trends to brand and market library products and services.
Machine-based Learning in Special Libraries: Tech Trends that Aren’t “Out-There” Anymore!
Machine-based learning in special libraries, e.g., harvest information from our databases and intranets and learn or predict our users’ behaviours.
Augmented Reality in Libraries: Technology Trends that Aren’t “Out-There” Anymore!
Augmented Reality in Libraries: AR technology is relevant for special libraries and can be used absolutely free to enrich the end user’s experience.
4 Ways Special Librarians Can Demonstrate Value and Impact
Special librarians too often hide much of the true professional added value of their work. To mitigate that, I think the following activities will help librarians demonstrate value and impact.
Client Engagement in Special Libraries—What is it?
Special librarians need client engagement strategies + skills to actively nurture relationships with end users.
Artificial Intelligence: Technology Trends that Aren’t “Out-There” Anymore!
Tech trends like artificial intelligence (AI) impact libraries, archives, museums and galleries, creating information experiences based on behavior.
Tech Trends: Moving Beyond Transactions to Interpreting Behaviours
Special librarians can leverage emerging technologies that go beyond automating transactions and adapt to human behaviours and “remembering”.
Capstone Post: Part 6—How do We Align Research Results with Decision-Making?
Special librarians must go beyond connecting users to information and influence knowledge creation and decision making by improving question quality.
Cialdini: The Rules of Influence
Special librarians have many options for building influence in their organizations; Cialdini’s 6 principles of influence are a valuable reference.
Community and Asset Mapping for Special Librarians
Community Asset Mapping is a great tool for special librarians to use when examining potential partnerships, markets, audiences, and more.