VFM Value for Money OR How not to get screwed and survive in the Downturn

A cautionary tale ? “Lies, damned lies and statistics “

BBC Morning NEWS 250,000 less visited their local library last year ¼ million less visits in England. - Politician Close, Close, Close.

Politics P.I’s etc. can be used to crucify you Need a….  PLAN B

Option 1 “Influence, the classic book on persuasion, explains the psychology of why people say yes – and how to apply these understandings.” Influence The Psychology of Persuasion By Robert B. Cialdini

Cialdini defines six "weapons of influence” Reciprocity - People tend to return a favour, thus the pervasiveness of free samples in marketing.free samples Commitment and Consistency - If people commit, orally or in writing, to an idea or goal, they are more likely to honour that commitment because of establishing that idea or goal as being congruent with their self image Social Proof - People will do things that they see other people are doing. For example, in one experiment, one or more confederates would look up into the sky; bystanders would then look up into the sky to see what they were seeing. At one point this experiment aborted, as so many people were looking up that they stopped traffic. Authority - People will tend to obey authority figures, even if they are asked to perform objectionable acts. Cialdini cites the Milgram experiments in the early 1960s - and the Nuremburg Defence.Milgram experiments Liking- People are easily persuaded by other people that they like. e.g. viral marketing. People were more likely to buy if they liked the person selling it to them. Some of the many biases favouring more attractive people are discussed.viral marketing Scarcity - Perceived scarcity will generate demand. For example, saying offers are available for a "limited time only" encourages sales.demand

Option 2 HSE Library Services Haemorrhaging Resources Especially Staff Oct Oct Oct Losing 1/3 of our staff in 4 years Change the focus : A Case Study

Money In business Everything comes down to money at some stage. Investigate & Find

National Report ADOPTING A NATIONAL APPROACH TO JOURNAL PROVISION Revised January 2010 REPORT COMPILED BY Brendan Leen, A. Regional Librarian, Lacken, Kilkenny Emma Quinn, Librarian, Waterford Regional Hospital Tony Linnane, Regional Librarian, Merlin Park Hospital, Galway

Savings of over a million ! But not from us !! Investigated and found over ½ of money spent on library related material Not spent by libraries Savings made out of refining and Ultimately taking over this spending.

How ? Ways to identify ? Small audit, for example, get list of top 50 suppliers to your organisation Be snoopy e.g. visit other areas, offices. Those books, journals on those shelves did they order through you Remember : If they did not personally pay for their own book etc. it belongs to the organisation

And..Finally False Economy Get beyond the cynical “Someone who knows the price of everything And the value of nothing” Libraries have Soul

Libraries have Soul …contd.

Libraries … the medicine chest of the soul Inscription over the door of the Library at Thebes Ancient Egypt