Chapter 3: Analyzing Library Leaders’ Survey Responses

Abstract

A survey open to members of the Association of Research Libraries was conducted in spring 2013, seeking additional thoughts on technological innovation from directors of these large research libraries. Chapter 3 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 49, no. 7) “Technological Innovation: Perceptions and Definitions” shares the responses of two dozen directors who participated in the ten-question survey. Questions focused on the definition of innovation (including thoughts on words often associated with the term), factors helping to inform whether to proceed with a technology-based innovation, thoughts on existing technologies, and directors’ perceptions on whether such technologies were “innovative,” and how directors support or encourage innovation within the library. Additional insights from the literature on innovation are interwoven with the survey discussion.