Managing a library service through a crisis
ISSN: 0143-5124
Article publication date: 22 December 2020
Issue publication date: 20 May 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to explore public libraries' ability to respond to worst-case scenarios and whether planning and scenario planning is a useful exercise to prepare library staff and library organisations for quick and agile responses to crises in the future.
Design/methodology/approach
Personal viewpoint of crisis management of a library service through the experience of the library service the author manages.
Findings
This paper describes Yarra Plenty Regional Library’s (YPRL’s) response to the pandemic and lockdowns in Metro Melbourne. It offers some opinions on library services readiness to respond to crises and describes the foundations of YPRL's successful response.
Originality/value
YPRL is a regional corporation governed by a board of directors and serves three councils. This is one of 10 such corporations in Victoria. The organisation's response and the development as a corporation through this crisis is something that other organisations can learn from.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper in this special issue was specifically invited because of the expertise of the author to respond to the issues raised in the Editorial at https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-04-2020-143. The paper is part of the Issue of the Worst case Scenarios and the Virus. Each paper has been formally reviewed and the author has responded to the comments in the customary manner.
Citation
Cowell, J. (2021), "Managing a library service through a crisis", Library Management, Vol. 42 No. 4/5, pp. 250-255. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-10-2020-0158
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited