Purpose – This paper aims to provide an overview of the perceptions of librarians regarding the use of social networking in their professional lives. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was administered to a random sample of librarians at academic institutions. Findings – Adoption rates for social networking were high, with 85 percent of the 765 respondents reporting an account in at least one social networking account. Responses reveal opinions about privacy, boundaries, and professional relationships within social networking, suggesting that it does influence relationships within the profession. Research limitations/implications – The paper presents a snapshot of users' perceptions. Since social media changes rapidly, it is likely that perceptions will also likely change over time. Practical implications – The paper presents a snapshot of the perceptions of librarians towards social media. This article could be useful to librarians who currently use or are considering creating a social media account. Originality/value – This paper looks at social media and how it changes interactions between co-workers, which have been little studied in the past. This can be valuable to organizations who create policy and also to employees, who need to consider privacy issues as they become involved in social media.

Purpose – One of the biggest challenges facing American librarians at present is a mass retirement of highly trained professionals, which will result in a significant loss of expertise. When libraries look at universities for examples of succession planning, they find, for the most part, that they are behind, not ahead of them. A notable exception is the University of Notre Dame, which, as a Catholic institution led by priests, has a very small pool of candidates for high-level positions, so it is forced to select and prepare its top leaders through succession planning. This article aims to examine the work of one such leader. Design/methodology/approach – This article examines the work of one president, Father Theodore M. Hesburgh, whose succession planning efforts resulted in the preparation not only of his successor but also of the members of the administrative team. Findings – This case offers three important lessons for librarians. First, the leadership must be on board with the training program. Second, the training program must go beyond individuals and involve entire cohorts. Finally, the goal of training must be the development of as much talent as possible. Originality/value – The Notre Dame case demonstrates that when an organization looks for talent it finds it, indicating that much talent is lost because it is never recognized, let alone cultivated, and that is the most important lesson of all.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to give an overview and a few highlights from the author's experience at the 2012 Frankfurt Book Fair.Design/methodology/approachThe author visited the Frankfurt Book Fair from October 10 through October 12, visiting a wide variety of vendors across all exhibition halls and attending a number of special presentations. All empirical data are based on personal observations recorded by journal during and directly after each fair visit.FindingsThe fair was an excellent chance to learn more about the publishing industry, particularly with respect to the author's prior interests in education and children's and young adult literature. The event is so large, and the vendors so numerous, that all areas of interest to publishers, librarians, educators, booksellers, and others in the book trade are represented.Originality/valueThis report should be of particular interest to those thinking of attending the Frankfurt Book Fair for the first time, as well as those who are familiar with the event but were unable to attend in 2012. Educators and library media specialists will find this viewpoint to be written from a perspective that is especially relevant to them and their work.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to research the difference in reading and learning from print versus electronic media in a professional and educational setting. To what extent does the materiality of the medium influence the efficiency and effectively of the reader? What is needed to create “digital born” information rich texts? In Part 1, sustained reading of information and knowledge rich texts is addressed.Design/methodology/approachIn‐depth comparative tests with a great number of subjects between print‐on‐paper, e‐ink screens and LCD screens. In Part 1 the results of tests with sustained reading of information and knowledge rich texts are reported.FindingsAll tests show that print‐on‐paper is still a superior medium for learning and digesting complicated and elaborate texts, whilst electronic screens are appreciated for quick information gathering, communication and navigation. Electronic representations of information and knowledge demand that the structure of the writing has to change.Research limitations/implicationsGiven the rapid development in electronic displays, many issues – in particular ergonomical – become a “moving target”. An important limitation – which is one of the quests of this research – is the lack of sufficient genuine digital born texts.Practical implicationsThe need to start and review the writing process; the appearance but also the structure of information and knowledge rich texts. A second issue is the need to develop easy capabilities to make an electronic text as easy a “tool” as the print text, with underlining, comments and notes.Social implicationsThe development of novel ways of publishing educational texts.Originality/valueDeep qualitative research in comparison with quantitative tests. Comparison between professional information acquisition and learning.

PurposeIn response to the changing world of information access, librarians at the New York Law School's Mendik Library became interested in providing a full‐service mobile phone application so that users could search the catalog, access the reserves module, renew books and find information such as library hours. The purpose of this paper is to show how the library went from this concept to an award‐winning product.Design/methodology/approachThe paper shows step by step how the librarians listened to experts in the field, searched the mobile stores to find other libraries that have done this, chosen a vendor, and rolled out the service with a multimedia information campaign.FindingsUsing a team approach, it is possible to develop a mobile application that is useful and still being accessed a year after its first launch.Research limitations/implicationsMore needs to be done to see the precise state of mobile access in the world's libraries.Originality/valueThe approach documented in the paper will serve as a template for libraries planning to add mobile access, but are unsure of how to proceed.

PurposeIn this paper the authors aim to examine ways to motivate staff whose job assignments include repetitive library tasks such as shelving, copy cataloguing, circulation, and other similar functions.Design/methodology/approachThe authors review the appropriate management literature and build upon the extensive management experience of the second author.FindingsWays to increase employee motivation including enriching the work experience, effective communication, appropriate incentives, and treating each employee as an individual. Sharing tasks among staff and maintaining an ergonomic workspace are also important. Library automation and eliminating unneeded tasks can reduce repetitive tasks but can also lead to a reduction in staff.Practical implicationsThe paper provides practical steps for managers to take to keep staff motivated when faced with repetitive tasks.Originality/valueThis paper summarizes the management literature on this topic to provide practical guidance for library managers.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss visions and realities in recent Norwegian governmental reports on libraries. How realistic are the government's plans? Do the commitments in the reports comply with the budgetary proposals? How do the local libraries interpret them? Would a change in government affect the public libraries, as they are funded by municipal authorities and local politicians?\n\nDesign/methodology/approach – The methods used are a qualitative analysis of interviews and an examination of the reports and relevant statistical data. Six public libraries, of different types and geographical distribution, were chosen for analysis. Statistical and economic data were obtained from the KOSTRA database (Municipality-State-Reporting) from Statistics Norway and the annual ALM (Archives, Libraries, Museums) publication Statistics for Archives, Libraries and Museum (Statistikk for arkiv, bibliotek og museum).\n\nFindings – The budget proposals of the Norwegian government indicate willingness to implement the commitments in the governmental reports, with the exception of the small amounts allocated to competence development and model libraries. The reports do not address the serious challenges facing Norwegian public libraries.\n\nPractical implications – The paper discusses the latest official plans and strategies for Norwegian libraries. This should interest library employees and library and information students and teachers, as well as governmental representatives and politicians.\n\nOriginality/value – The in-depth analysis of a selection of Norwegian public libraries could be valuable for librarians in Norway, as well as in other countries, in times of budget cuts, decreasing resources and financial difficulties.