Special Issue – Apr, 2015. S. M.

Joshi College, Hadapsar, Pune- 28 (18-23)

Changing Role of Librarian: Manager to Intrapreneur

Mrs. Ashwini Thakur

Librarian,M.E.S. Garware College of Commerce

Karve Road, Pune - 411004

Abstract:

As the educational institutions are changing to compete in the open market as well as
extended arrays of subjects and courses, academic libraries is also changing from their
traditional role of storehouse of books to information provider. NAAC has given quite
importance to library activities suggesting innovative and fund raising activities. All this
phenomena is pointing towards the intrapreneurial role of a librarian. The basic objective of
this paper is to suggest Intrapreneurial initiatives to the library and information science
professionals, also to suggest design for libraries to foster the entrepreneurial business
model and pave the way for intrapreneurial librarianship.

Keywords: Librarian Intrapreneur, Knowledge manager, Librarian entrepreneur,

Introduction

In this era of Information technology where academic environment has changed its faces new
challenges are in front of the educational institutions. Libraries are key part of all this
changing technology as they are the prominent centers of information and knowledge. Their
activities, services as well as the ambience are also getting modified as per the expected user
demands. The main person who is not only the witness but an important part of this entire
dilemma is the librarian. His role has changed from the traditional issue return function to
information provider, information manager, knowledge manager and so on. There is a
significant make over in the librarian as he has to develop a lot of technical skills, cope up
with latest developments, face the new challenges and develop a futuristic mindset. He
should obtain certain HR skills as he has to deal with certain people from management, the

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 Special Issue – Apr, 2015. S. M. Joshi College, Hadapsar, Pune- 28 (18-23)

principal, the registrar and his office, his own library staff, the book sellers and suppliers and
a variety of patrons of the library. A smart librarian can develop and maintain the library, do
marketing of his products and services and generate funds for his organization. There is a
new term rewarded for such an innovative librarian as Intrapreneur.

What is Intrapreneur?

In 1992, The American Heritage Dictionary took a note of the popular use of a new word,
intrapreneur, defined as "A person within a large corporation who takes direct responsibility
for turning an idea into a profitable finished product through assertive risk-taking and
innovation". Such an employee has entrepreneurial qualities of drive, ability to take risk,
creativity, vision and ambition.

Intrapreneurship is now known as the practice of a corporate management style that

integrates risk-taking and innovation approaches, as well as the reward and motivational
techniques that are more traditionally thought of as being the province of entrepreneurship.
Intrapreneurship further explained as the employee initiatives in organizations to undertake
something new, without being asked to do so. Hence, the term intrapreneur focuses on
innovation and creativity, and transforms an idea into a profitable venture, while operating
within the organizational environment. Thus, intrapreneurs are inside the organization that
follows its goals. Intrapreneurship is an example of motivation through job design, either
formally or informally. Certain employees working under a department e.g. marketing are
encouraged to behave as entrepreneurs and a framework is created where they are granted
autonomy and freedom to work on projects of their own.

Intrapreneur Librarian

Today’s librarians are innovators who explore new technologies and novel ideas in the
relentless pursuit of excellence; these librarians have the intrapreneurial spirit. Indeed,
librarians and intrapreneurs share certain characteristics, including creativity, persistence, and
passion. Intrapreneurial role of librarians is developing in the digital age in advocating social
change, responding to patron demands, designing new services, and developing exciting fund
raising programs. Some librarians are applying new business models to traditional services;
and facing many other challenges.

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 Special Issue – Apr, 2015. S. M. Joshi College, Hadapsar, Pune- 28 (18-23)

Skills necessary for becoming a successful intrapreneur are

1. Knowledge of the internal and external environment.

2. Creativity, strategic planning.
3. Competitive Intelligence
4. Targeted marketing and innovation to place their library in the way of success.
5. Visionary and willing to change the status quo
6. Diplomatic and able to lead cross - functional teams.
7. Ability to reduce individual and team stress.
8. Develop a good team.
9. Ability to preserve even in the face of uncertainty.

Let’s see how they are applicable for a successful intrapreneur librarian

1. Knowledge of the internal and external environment.–

Librarian is a person who deals with all the people in the organization i.e. the
teaching and administrative staff, the students and all other stakeholders. Therefore he
always has information of all the issues in the organization. Librarian has to develop
library vision, mission, and goals with input from administrators, teachers, students,
parents and all other stakeholders

2. Creativity, strategic planning –

Librarianship is a field of creativity and innovations. Librarian can add values in his
library to make it more and more effective day by day. He should plan strategies so
that place his library as a valuable asset of his organization. He should pursuit of
entrepreneurial opportunity that includes developing new product or service.

3. Competitive Intelligence –
Competitive intelligence is the action of defining, gathering, analyzing, and
distributing intelligence about products, customers, competitors, and any aspect of the
environment. It essentially means understanding and learning what's happening in the
world outside your library so one can be as competitive as possible. Updating oneself
with latest technology and innovations is needed. Also getting aware about what
others are doing. It empowers you to anticipate and face challenges.

4. Targeted marketing and innovation to place their library in the way of success. -
The most important part of intrapreneurial librarianship is that he has to market his

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 Special Issue – Apr, 2015. S. M. Joshi College, Hadapsar, Pune- 28 (18-23)

library, his innovative practices to his patrons. The enterprise that does not innovate
inevitably ages and declines. And in a period of rapid change, such as the present, the
decline will be fast.
5. Visionary and willing to change the status quo –

Librarian should have a vision of future advancements and the services expected
from him and the ability to make changes accordingly. Now-a-days Librarians are
free to decide the policies regarding the library and also to adaptation of procedure.
On the documentation front and maintaining of records, they have enough scientific
or technological instruments. Making a proper use of it, librarians are doing great
management on all aspects of the library programs.

6. Diplomatic and able to lead cross - functional teams. –

A diplomatic person can gather people and lead them successfully. He has ability to
motivate his teams at all levels. This is an essential skill as library is teamwork and
they have function with different users’ teams as well as the office staff.

7. Ability to reduce individual and team stress –

A pleasant and relaxed team gives the best results. It is necessary for a librarian to
maintain a healthy environment and implement stress releasing measures in the
library.

8. Develop a good team –

Staff development is necessary to cope up with latest developments and challenges.

Library staff should be trained properly with all the aspects. Librarian should
recognize the strengths, likes, abilities and weaknesses of his staff and allot tasks
accordingly.

9. Ability to preserve even in the case of uncertainty. –

A skilled librarian should able to run the library effectively even in case of uncertain
problems like lack of sufficient staff, inadequate technicalities, lack of adequate
funds, etc.

The Successful Intrapreneurial Librarian looks for ways to place his library in the best
possible position so it is ready to take advantage of opportunities to meet the needs of the
institution, both present and future, and thereby be foundational in the success of the
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 Special Issue – Apr, 2015. S. M. Joshi College, Hadapsar, Pune- 28 (18-23)

institution they serve. The library’s success is tied directly to the success of the institution.
Your library cannot succeed without taking its institution with it. If your library is successful,
your institution must also be successful.

Role of the educational institution to develop successful intrapreneurial librarian

1. Encouragement for new ideas–

In libraries the staff members may be allowed to bypass line authority and
encouraged to take calculated risks in pursuing the development of innovative
concepts and applications. Librarians who have behaved as intrapreneurs may come
up with a good ideas in which they had unflagging belief; focused on results (rather
than activities) in acting ontheir idea.

2. Financing – Financial support is required to implement new innovations.

3. Rewarding and recognizing innovations –

The American Productivity & Quality Center (APQC) has found that to drive
innovation in products and services, an organization needs innovative approaches to
rewards and recognition. Libraries generally have need for achievement; status, and
affiliation. Organizations are expected to provide structure and consistency that will
motivate them to pursue creative and effective ideas.

4. Improved means for dissemination of information –

In this fast changing information society there are frequent improvements in the
means of communicating information. Libraries and the librarians should be well
equipped with the latest technologies. It’s the role of the parent institute to be aware
about the latest tools and encourage the library staff to operate them.

Smart tips to become intrapreneurial librarian -

1. You enjoy your library first.

2. Carry all your tasks seriously.
3. Plan everything.
4. Manage money wisely.
5. Remember it's all about the library users who are actually your customers.
6. Become a shameless self as well as library promoter. (Without becoming obnoxious).
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7. Project a positive library image.

8. Level the performing field with technology.
9. Build a top-notch library team.
10. Become known as an expert in all library related fields.
11. Create a competitive advantage.
12. Be accessible.
13. Build a rock-solid reputation of your library.
14. Grab attention.
15. Design your library for success.
16. Get and stay organized.
17. Take time off.
18. Limit the number of hats you wear.
19. Follow-up constantly.

Conclusion

The academic colleges today are such where the value of knowledge is known and
decisions are made and activities performed on the basis of knowledge. In such a situation
librarians' role is not just limited to organize, control, and manage but they have to think
beyond the walls of libraries and develop abilities to participate in institutional activities
so that they will able to highlight the library activities from time to time. This
intrapreneurial approach requires different mindset of the librarians. Traditional methods
and thinking cannot meet the needs of library users in today’s situation. Librarians need
new skills to deal with the knowledge-based environment. Of course the management
support plays an important role in developing these valuable intrapreneur librarians.

References

1.Cottam, Keith M. The Impact of the Library “Intrapreneur” on Technology. The University
of Wyoming, Laramie, LIBRARY TRENDS, 37(4), Spring 1989, pp. 521-31

2. Ganapathi, B. (July 20, 2014) Librarianship Needs IntrapreneurialBehaviour. Available at

SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2468739 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2468739

3. Drucker, P. F. (1985).Innovation and entrepreneurship: Practice and principles. New

York: Harper Fc Row.

4. Cottam, K. M. (1987). Professional identity and “intrapreneurial” behavior.Journal of

Library Administration, B (spring), 29-40.

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