This book makes an important contribution to the library literature both for its timeliness and also for its clear enunciation of new roles for library management. Libraries in all sectors are facing monumental change as Disruption to the traditional business model in resulting in Extinction for many. The technological and social changes are fundamentally changing the way in which libraries do their business. If we turn our heads away from these choices for a new future then we will be leaving our choices open to be made by others. This is not the preferable option.
Kostagiolas brings a refreshing theoretical and statistical approach to the assessment of the library and resource (intellectual capital) value and lifelong retention of our intangible assets. In some ways Kostagiolas is drawing on the intellectual shoulders of those who have come before him. But he is growing the argument in special times. The Library community's use of statistics has historically been very rudimentary indeed and so this type of analysis is very new and perhaps quite daunting to the leaders in our community. Nonetheless, a new approach is needed. Having said this, the level of parametric and non
In previous times the assets were in print and there was a philosophy of retention “just‐in‐case”. At the time, it was an appropriate strategy but now the strategies are digital, digital, digital, the discard of print (with little or no examination) and the transformation of library spaces into many new purposes. It is so much more complex requiring commensurately complex and predictive tools. The old Chi Square or a simple t‐test are measures just simply not up to the current task.
I particularly liked the work Kostagiolas draws out on co‐opetition where organisations can “cooperate with each other in creating or exploring markets, but compete in gaining user demand or in resource utilization” (p. 74). In a highly disrupted world there needs to be further work in this area as well as on the economic value emanating from these strategies.
The book is well laid out exploring the various approaches to performance management and is stimulating thinking to those who value intellectual capital resources and yet have to increasingly work in very differently structured operational environments. I recommend it strongly.
