All things to all people - not!?
This quote from 37 signals recently appeared on walking paper:
Libraries are used to trying to be all things to all people. We invent programs to help our patrons with the latest issues they face. We try to keep up with technology and current expectations of service. But is it time to consider sunsetting some services and focusing on few rather than more, more, more?
Limits can bring success, as Southwest Airlines has proven. Can we focus on essential functions and still have engaging libraries? Post your thoughts in the comments. What could you limit in an effort to strengthen something else happening at your library?
> contributed by Beth
Southwest Airlines. The airline has succeeded in large part due to its embrace of constraints. For example, its fleet consists exclusively of aircraft from the Boeing 737 line. By flying only a single aircraft, the company spends less to train pilots, ground crew, and mechanics. And maintenance, purchasing, and other operations are also vastly simplified, which reduces costs too.
More ways that Southwest keeps it simple: It offers flights only to select cities, no seating class distinctions, a simple pricing structure, a bare-bones frequent flier program, no meal service, etc.
Shows how executing on essential functions and leaving the rest out can still take you a long way.
Libraries are used to trying to be all things to all people. We invent programs to help our patrons with the latest issues they face. We try to keep up with technology and current expectations of service. But is it time to consider sunsetting some services and focusing on few rather than more, more, more?
Limits can bring success, as Southwest Airlines has proven. Can we focus on essential functions and still have engaging libraries? Post your thoughts in the comments. What could you limit in an effort to strengthen something else happening at your library?
> contributed by Beth
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