Innovation and change

Abstract

PurposeThe rapidly changing nature of local government service demands new skills, but there is often a gap between the new skills needed by library authorities and the skills that “traditional” librarianship education delivers. The purpose of this paper is to show how QLP‐Y can bridge this gap and to consider the approach of the Quality Leaders Project – Youth (QLP‐Y, 2003) and its contribution to staff development within the public library sector.Design/methodology/approachSetting the project in the context of a changing global situation, the paper considers briefly the effect of this situation on local government service before moving on to consider the learning opportunities afforded by involvement in QLP‐Y. Finally, it considers the importance of sustained innovation in public service and the role of universities within this.FindingsThe paper highlights the need for a different content in librarianship courses and the need for a training approach that combines work‐based learning with an academic focus. It shows how the “management development through service development” approach of QLP‐Y can lead to significant achievements in the development of both staff and service and how QLP‐Y can develop in staff key management skills alongside an understanding of the wider policy context and the ability to shape one's work within it.Originality/valueUsing the latest QLP‐Y material, the paper examines how the project has helped implement new ways of working in line with changing policy requirements and will thus be of interest to the academic community, decision makers and managers in local authorities.