Intrapreneurship Handbook for Librarians

Arne J. Almquist is associate provost for learning sciences and technologies and dean of the library at Northern Kentucky University (NKU).Sharon G. Almquist teaches as an online adjunct professor at several universities and is currently pursuing a certificate in entrepreneurship at Northern Kentucky University.

Do you have a great idea for an innovation in your library? From idea to execution, this book provides the information necessary to help you to become an intrapreneurial star at your library.Have you ever presented an idea to your boss and had it so firmly rejected that you never want to suggest anything again? Do you feel locked into a rigid hierarchy where bureaucracy has strangled all innovation? Are you motivated to shake things up in your organization to improve it, but are afraid of drowning in the waves you'll create? This book explains how any individual can be an effective change agent in his/her library, addressing topics such as getting started, handling difficult situations, creating partnerships both within and outside of your organization, cutting through bureaucratic red tape, and maintaining momentum with initiatives.Written by librarians who are both experienced entrepreneurs/intrapreneurs, Intrapreneurship Handbook for Librarians: How to Be a Change Agent in Your Library explains what being a library intrapreneur is all about: being empowered to find innovate ways to increase impact, grow resources, and develop new methods of leveraging the skills and perspectives of librarianship to enable the survival of libraries-all while enjoying your job more. The chapters guide readers through the intrapreneurial process-from writing a plan and selling it to administrators and other stakeholders, to securing funding for the idea and actualizing the plan-and answers tough questions such as "How do I let my clients know what my library can offer?", "How do we compete with the Internet?", and "How do I gain support for our services in a time of budget cuts?" This book will be a priceless resource for all librarians regardless of experience level or type of library as the principles and guidelines described are universal.

Includes processes, short case studies, and "food for thought" sections that fully document and flesh out the ideas presented

List of FiguresForewordPrefaceCHAPTER 1: EntrepreneursDefining an EntrepreneurWhat Is an Entrepreneur?History of EntrepreneursHistory of Entrepreneurs Supporting Library EffortsHistory of Librarian EntrepreneursEntrepreneurs: Why Do They Do It?NotesCHAPTER 2: IntrapreneursDefinitions of an IntrapreneurIntrapreneurial QualitiesHow to Measure SuccessIntrapreneur QuestionsNotesCHAPTER 3: Agent of Change and the Art of Intrapreneurial InnovationCreativity, Communication, CollaborationIntrapreneurship and StrategyConflictGroupthink and the Abilene Paradox: Collective DysfunctionInnovations versus ImprovementsHow to Be an Intrapreneur/Change Agent/InnovatorNotesCHAPTER 4: Calling All Change Agents: Creating an Intrapreneurial Culture at Your LibraryCreating a Culture of IntrapreneurshipSupporting a Culture of Innovation-EmployeesPick Your Battles: When You Have to Work within a Specific StructureCompetitive AdvantageNotesCHAPTER 5: The Intrapreneurial Process: Finding the Way to SuccessIdeas and BrainstormingClient Needs Assessment-"Information, We Want Information"Thinking through IdeasCreating Your Own FutureSCAMPERThe Distilling Process: Because All Ideas Are Not Created EqualDefine Value and Express the IdeaScreening, Research, and Feasibility Study: Getting Your Ducks in a RowFeasibility StudyNotesCHAPTER 6: Pitching Your Idea and Getting Others to JoinWriting and Delivering the Elevator SpeechGetting a Sponsor: Turning the Elevator Speech into a PitchSetting Up the Pitch PresentationAcceptance and RejectionEmbracing AcceptanceThe Innovator's PlanFunding the PlanSecuring Necessary Resources from Your OrganizationOutside Funding SourcesOther Support for ProjectsNotesCHAPTER 7: An Innovation Team and Your Place in ItSetting Up a Team for SuccessChoosing Team MembersAssigning Roles and ResponsibilitiesManaging the TeamManaging the ProjectNotesCHAPTER 8: Implementation: The Idea AscendantManaging the ProjectAnalyzing FailureLeading Change: Protecting the Implementation and Removing BarriersCelebrating AchievementNotesCHAPTER 9: Completion to New BeginningsNotesAppendix A: The Intrapreneur TestAppendix B: The Intrapreneurship Test-CommentsIndex