The Start-Up Librarian

I highly enjoyed the Start-Up Librarian article over at Library Journal. The author Kyle Jones, talks about how libraries should think more like start-ups when hiring and developing staff members. Jones uses examples from Google where cut down hierarchy and allow for innovation. I personally would love to see more workplaces adopt this style. Since I work in a small office I am lucky to have easy access to supervisors for quick input and decisions on projects. However, I would love to have a dedicated 20% time where I could work on outside projects like those lucky Google staffers are allowed. Perhaps as the library and information workforce transitions towards the younger generations we will see a breaking down of strict hierarchy and bureaucracy and more team oriented approaches, innovation, and a willing to experiment.