Essay on CASE STUDY REPORT: NATIONAL LIBRRARY OF AUSTRALIA
CHALLENGES ON NATIOANL LIBRARY OF AUSTRALIA’S PLAN
At the same time, in order to improve human resource management in National Library of Australia, it is necessary to conduct the detailed analysis of the current situation in the company and in the company’s environment. In this regard, SWOT analysis can be very helpful (See App.). SWOT analysis reveals the major strengths and weaknesses of National Library of Australia as well as its opportunities and threats.
Among the major strengths of National Library of Australia, it is possible to single out extensive experience; advanced technologies and innovations; funds of the library. As for weaknesses of National Library of Australia, it is worth mentioning the lack of experience of using advanced technologies in the personnel of the library; necessity of training of the personnel; the library need to keep pace with new technologies.
At the same time, National Library of Australia has extensive opportunities to hold the leading position among libraries in Australia; entering international market; digitalization can enhance position of National Library of Australia among online libraries. On the other hand, National Library of Australia still faces a number of threats, including the problem of protection of customers’ private information and library’s databases; digitalization of libraries; growing competition, especially from the part of online libraries.
In addition, it is important to conduct the PEST analysis of National Library of Australia’s environment. At this point, it is important to dwell upon political factors, such as state support of the library; public support. Political factors are favorable for the development of National Library of Australia. At the same time, economic factors, including open access for practically all users; high costs of maintenance of the library; lack of funding in the time of economic recession, are not as favorable as political factors.
Furthermore, social factors that influence National Library of Australia and its human resource management are importance of education, research activities and scientific work; shift toward online libraries. Finally, technological factors include digitalization of the library; introduction of new information technologies to keep pace with online library; data security.
STRATEGIES WITH HUMAN RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS
In this respect, it is important to place emphasis on the fact that National Library of Australia should focus on the development of effective strategies to cope with challenges the library is currently facing. In this regard, the role of human resources can hardly be underestimated. At this point, the training of employees to use the full potential of new technologies is essential because National Library of Australia needs to implement new technologies. Employees cannot use the full potential of new technologies, if they do not have extensive training and do not know how to use them effectively.
Furthermore, the library may need to focus on the development of IT department. In actuality, the introduction of information technologies is essential for the further development of National Library of Australia. National Library of Australia cannot ignore the development of new technologies because they facilitate the work of employees in the library as well as open wider access to the library for readers. In addition, new information technologies are just essential to be introduced in National Library of Australia. Otherwise, National Library of Australia will stop progressing and will unable to compete with other libraries.
In this regard, National Library of Australia may consider an alternative, namely to choose outsourcing of IT and IS instead of the development of its own IT department. However, outsourcing makes National Library of Australia dependent on the supplier of IT services. Therefore, the library may suffer from the dependence on the supplier that means that the data stored in National Library of Australia may be accessed, if the supplier is not reliable enough to ensure the high level of data security of the library.
Furthermore, National Library of Australia should focus on the employment of young and prospective employees to introduce innovations. Young employees are more inclined to the introduction of innovations. Young people are more eager to learn and to introduce changes. The development of new technologies may raise difficulties in employees representing older generation, whereas young employees are eager to try new technologies and implement them in their regular work.
Finally, the promotion of National Library of Australia and improvement of public relations with the help of professionals responsible for public relations and customer relations management can help the library to improve its performance. However, the promotion will need to employ well-qualified professionals, who can develop effective promotional campaigns and establish positive company-customer relationships.
HUMAN RESOURCE POLICY STATEMENT
In such a context, National Library of Australia can shape its human resource policy statement, which should focus on the employment of well-qualified personnel. The well-qualified personnel will lay the foundation to the reliable and stable work of National Library of Australia.
At the same time, training of employees to keep pace with emergence of new technologies is essential to allow National Library of Australia to implement its human resource strategy. To put it more precisely, National Library of Australia should train its employees to extend their professional skills and abilities and to help them to use new technologies in their work easily and effectively.
Finally, the provision of services of the high quality to reach the high level of customer satisfaction is also essential and also involves the development of human resource management of the company. In fact, National Library of Australia should develop its public relations department and, if necessary, to employ new professionals to improve its relationships with customers.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Taking into consideration current challenges National Library of Australia is facing and resources and capabilities of the library, it is possible to develop a set of recommendations that can help the library to cope with challenges and minimize threats that can affect the position of the library and its relationships with readers. First of all, National Library of Australia should conduct the detailed analysis of current needs of the library and customers. In such a way, National Library of Australia will be able to understand what changes to introduce to meet needs and wants of readers and what skills employees working in the library should develop.
Secondly, National Library of Australia should develop intensive training of employees. In fact, training of employees is the key toward the success of the library in terms of the introduction of new technologies and innovations. This is particularly important, taking into consideration the fact that National Library of Australia needs to implement new information technologies, which need the high qualification of employees.
In this regard, National Library of Australia can develop knowledge sharing management to decrease costs the library spends on training of employees. Knowledge sharing management implies that professionals working in the library cooperate effectively, interact with each other and share knowledge and experience they have with each other. In such a way, National Library of Australia will not need to employ outside trainers but to use the full potential of professionals working in the library.
Furthermore, the involvement of prospective professionals from different fields, including IT professionals, who can modernize the library and protect its databases, may be very helpful to improve employees’ performance. In this regard, the stimulation of employees’ professional development through material and non-material motivation is essential. In fact, material motivation will not work for a long time, whereas non-material motivation can encourage employees to work better, while it does not need substantial financial resources.
Obviously, National Library of Australia needs to focus on the development of customer relationship management. In fact, shaping a positive public image of the library through involvement of the library in socially significant events may be very effective. What is meant here is the fact that National Library of Australia can participate in different events, such as provision of its books, journals and other materials free of charge for educational purposes, for instance. In fact, the participation of the library in educational programs is another step toward the improvement of the company-customer relationships and the increase of the effectiveness of employees’ performance.
