Abstract
The key to a library&rsquo;s success is its ability to effectively and economically deliver services and information that users value. Additionally, the objective of supply chain management is <br />to coordinate the focal firm&rsquo;s processes and activities with those of its suppliers and customers, such <br />that the firm&rsquo;s delivered products and services meet or exceed customer requirements. It thus seemed <br />appropriate to analyze a library from a supply chain perspective to assess and improve its ability to <br />serve its users. Consequently, the authors employed an action research methodology to work with library personnel from two departments, User Services and Technical Services, as they merged into one <br />division, to map the information resources supply chain of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Lied <br />Library. Once the supply chain model was completed, key processes were analyzed and performance <br />measures designed, with the goal of improving division products and services. This paper reviews the <br />relevant literature, presents the Lied Library information resources supply chain model, and provides <br />the performance measures along with several improvement examples. <br />
Highlights
Operating in an environment of shrinking operating budgets, cheaper and faster computing capabilities, and more users demanding a wider range of library services, library administrators at most universities are struggling to deliver the many and often changing products, services and information items their customers seek
Management needs to understand what library users require, as well as the processes transforming information content into valued information resources and associated services.One strategy for improving library quality is the practice of supply chain management
Over the past twenty years, supply chain management research and practice have provided a successful set of tools for organizations seeking to reduce costs while improving quality and customer service
Summary
Operating in an environment of shrinking operating budgets, cheaper and faster computing capabilities, and more users demanding a wider range of library services, library administrators at most universities are struggling to deliver the many and often changing products, services and information items their customers seek. Library success and viability depend on management’s ability to coordinate the network of relationships and processes linking the library’s internal and external supply chain members to provide the desired services. Management needs to understand what library users require, as well as the processes transforming information content into valued information resources and associated services.One strategy for improving library quality is the practice of supply chain management. It offers the advantages of extensive cooperation between suppliers, internal organization units, and customers. Over the past twenty years, supply chain management research and practice have provided a successful set of tools for organizations seeking to reduce costs while improving quality and customer service
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