The Purpose-Based Library: Finding Your Path to Survival, Success, and Growth

In the years since John Huber's trailblazing Lean Library Management was published, budget pressures on libraries have only increased. Yet libraries who have adopted his strategies have turned conventional management thinking that if budgets are reduced, customer service suffers on its head. These libraries have proven that by streamlining and improving customer services, they can eliminate wasteful activities and bring down costs. In The Purpose-Based Library, Huber and seasoned public library administrator Potter build on insight gleaned from decades of experience to demonstrate how libraries can create real growth opportunities through concentrating on their true mission and purpose, and without spending a lot more money. With a focus on putting ideas into action, they point the way towards

• New ways to think about metrics
• Reexamining customer self-driven services
• Effectively leveraging the considerable footprint of libraries
• Identifying and assessing community needs and realigning library services accordingly
• Actively encouraging community fundraising
• Offering cutting-edge services and programs

Packed with boots-on-the-ground commentary, this book presents strategies to help libraries survive and succeed.

John J. Huber formed the management consulting firm of J. Huber and Associates in 1986. Focused on the tools, principles, and concepts of lean, he has dedicated his career to helping organizations dramatically improve their customer service through improved process performance. As a pioneer in the TPS/lean revolution, he has traveled the country assisting more than 100 manufacturing, distribution, retail, and library organizations transform their operations. For the library world, he has developed breakthrough ideas including the holds label solution and the no-totes delivery solution for such clients as the New York Public Library, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Tulsa City-County Library, Mid-Continent Public Library, and Austin Public Library. He is also the author of "Lean Library Management: Eleven Strategies for Reducing Costs and Improving Customer Services." Steven V. Potter is the library director and CEO at Mid-Continent Public Library (MCPL) in Missouri, which in 2014 was awarded the prestigious National Medal for Museum and Library Service, and an adjunct professor at University of Missouri. The MCPL system serves more than 750,000 people, has one of the nation s largest summer reading programs, and is known for their array of innovative services. MCPL is home to the Midwest Genealogy Center, one of the nation s preeminent resources for family history, providing access to almost three-quarters of a million on-site materials. MCPL s Woodneath Library Center was opened in 2013 and includes the Story Center, which houses Woodneath Press, an on-site bookmaking printer; a digital storytelling technology lab; a recording booth; and an archive of oral, written, and digital stories produced at the center.