The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the information profession. The series IFLA Publications deals with many of the means through which libraries, information centres, and information professionals worldwide can formulate their goals, exert their influence as a group, protect their interests, and find solutions to global problems.

Learn why special or corporate libraries must align with their parent organizations in order to survive in these difficult economic times—and how to foster and demonstrate this critical relationship. Special Libraries: A Survival Guide analyzes what has happened—and is still continuing to happen—to corporate libraries in order to identify the strategies that must be taken to protect their staff's survival. Through a careful examination of a series of case studies of corporate library reductions and closures, authors James M. Matarazzo and Toby Pearlstein suggest key strategies, tactics, and survival tools that all types of special library managers can use to minimize their chances of becoming a victim. The book underscores the importance of collecting data as a survival tool. Additionally, it identifies what needs to be taught to students currently enrolled in library and information science (LIS) programs to give them a leg up in careers. This advocacy book is essential reading for staff at special/corporate libraries in the English-speaking world who wish to retain their positions, but it also contains information applicable to today's academic, public, and even school libraries. It is appropriate for students in the field of library and information science, LIS faculty, and corporate executives responsible for the management of the information function.

Disaster Planning for Special Libraries contains a guide for developing and maintaining disaster plans for small special libraries and related work units.This volume serves as a reference resource, not only for people who have never considered the disaster planning process, but also for experienced planners interested in a variety of approaches to different aspects of planning.The author discusses the role of the special librarian in the planning process and considers the relationship between special libraries and their host organizations. He emphasizes the importance of coordinating a special library's plan with any in place for its host organization, and encourages librarians to demonstrate their planning skills for organization-wide benefits.Early chapters summarize the initial phases of the planning process, which include preparedness and response measures. Subsequent chapters cover the assessment of damage to special library facilities and assets, the implications of declaring a disaster, the development of strategic alliances with key suppliers, orientation and training, succession planning, operational resumption, the normalization of library operations, and auditing a disaster plan. The concluding chapter discusses concerns that special librarians might have with regard to the future and its risks.Appendices include examples of a risk assessment and analysis and a risk mitigation program, a strike and protest plan, an emergency equipment inspection and audit report, a pandemic management program, and disaster response manager's kit. - Presents essential information in an accessible manner - Considers the disaster-related needs and experiences of special library personnel - Discusses a variety of risks to special libraries in different kinds of physical locations - Offers different approaches to a broad range of disaster planning topics in special libraries - Provides examples of essential planning documentation

This book focuses on the role of special libraries as knowledge management centres in their organisations. It describes the work of a special library and the special library draws on the characteristics that make the nucleus of collecting and organising knowledge which is used for the benefit of the institution. By acquiring and sharing knowledge, staff will enhance the intellectual capital of the institution. Traditionally libraries are the information centres that organise and classify information. Further on they are the proper places to create human networks and to organise the knowledge hidden in the minds of the staff. This book also examines methods to prove the value of a special library for the parent organisation when it becomes the centre to gather knowledge. - Draws on the characteristics that make a special library necessary for an organisation - Shows the importance of knowledge management in an organisational environment - Provides ways to persuade the management of an organisation that the special library is the proper centre for knowledge management

First Published in 1998. Formerly, a library was viewed as a place for information storage and information was viewed as simply bits of data. Furthermore, many wielded information as a tool of power, in that those who had more information had more authority. It is becoming increasingly clear that shared collective knowledge of an organization is of far greater value than that of each individual's privately held data. In view of the librarian's changing profession, it has also become clear that they are now being charged with the mission to explore and implement new and innovative methods to encourage sharing and to better manage information. The articles selected for this compendium are well thought-out and organized and are drawn from the fields of information and library science and business management. Since most special libraries are corporate libraries, the selections are taken from these different disciplines to provide perspectives from both a business standpoint and an information management one. The selections contain many different predictions about libraries and librarians of the future. They focus on new roles and highlight the importance of the profession. With the rapid growth of technology, end-users are being inundated with choices. They need expert advice from experienced practitioners. Currently, much of the literature focuses solely on the management of libraries as opposed to environment in which libraries operate. The purpose of this reader is to correct that.

Libraries/information centres are continuously evolving to keep up with rapid changes in information gathering, processing, and distribution. Corporate and non-profit special libraries face special challenges in revitalizing their physical space and providing efficient access to digital content. This book provides solo-librarians or special library managers with practical advice as to revitalize their libraries both in the physical space and the digital space. The book uses case studies, surveys and literature review to provide practical, innovative and evidence-based information to help special librarians develop information centres that will remain relevant to their organizations. - Written from an evidence-based perspective - Each section includes case studies, interviews or examples from libraries and librarians - Written specifically for special librarians

Most vols. include Proceedings of the Special Libraries Association.