Trending Tech Services: The Need for Mistakes and Failures in Libraries. Issue 3 (3rd July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Corrado, Edward M.
• Is Part Of: Technical services quarterly. Volume 39:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 289
• Page End: 297
• Publication Date: 2022-07-03
• Subjects: Mistakes -- failures -- risk-averse -- library culture -- growth mindset; Technical services (Libraries) -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Technical services (Libraries) -- Automation -- Periodicals; Library science -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; 025.0202854
• DOI: 10.1080/07317131.2022.2082667
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0731-7131

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In order to be innovative, libraries need to experiment and attempt new things. Part of this is the possibility of making mistakes and having failures along the way. Librarians can learn from these mistakes and failures and become better informed for future initiatives. However, like many organizations libraries are often risk-averse and do not reward experimentation and often mistakes and failures are looked on negatively. This can lead to less innovation and less learning – both on the individual and on the organizational level. Library leaders should encourage experimentation and understand that in order to be innovative, mistakes will be made and some initiatives will not be successful Making mistakes and having failures should not automatically be seen as a negative as long as they are used as leaning opportunities. By making mistakes, librarians can learn and grow. With this gained knowledge they, and their libraries, can be brought closer to success in the future.