How can digital library leaders balance innovation with stability?

2 Embrace change and learning

Innovation requires change, and change can be challenging, risky, and uncertain. However, as a digital library leader, you need to embrace change as an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. You need to be flexible, adaptable, and responsive to the changing environment, user feedback, and emerging trends. You also need to foster a culture of learning and experimentation in your team, where mistakes are seen as valuable lessons, not failures. By embracing change and learning, you can foster innovation and resilience in your digital library.

3 Collaborate and network

Digital libraries are not isolated entities, but part of a larger ecosystem of information providers, users, and communities. As a digital library leader, you need to collaborate and network with other digital library professionals, educators, researchers, and practitioners, both within and outside your institution. You can leverage their expertise, experience, and resources to enhance your digital library's quality, relevance, and impact. You can also share your innovation ideas, challenges, and successes with them, and learn from their best practices and feedback. By collaborating and networking, you can build trust, support, and synergy for your digital library.

4 Balance quality and quantity

Digital libraries are expected to provide users with high-quality information resources that are accurate, reliable, and authoritative. However, quality does not mean quantity, and digital library leaders need to balance the demand for more content with the need for quality assurance and control. You need to establish and follow clear standards, criteria, and processes for selecting, acquiring, organizing, describing, preserving, and accessing your digital library's resources. You also need to monitor and evaluate your digital library's performance, usability, and user satisfaction, and make adjustments as needed. By balancing quality and quantity, you can ensure your digital library's excellence and sustainability.

5 Secure and manage resources

Digital libraries require significant resources, such as staff, technology, infrastructure, and funding, to support their innovation and operation. As a digital library leader, you need to secure and manage these resources effectively and efficiently. You need to identify and pursue potential sources of funding, such as grants, donations, sponsorships, or partnerships, and demonstrate the value and impact of your digital library to your funders and supporters. You also need to allocate and distribute your resources wisely, according to your priorities, goals, and plans. By securing and managing resources, you can enable your digital library's innovation and stability.