Showcasing Innovative Information Centres Across the World
Jinfo Blog

By Catherine Dhanjal

Abstract

We share three very different approaches to creativity in information services from information managers in Denmark, the UK and US, operating in the pharma, subsea and non-profit sectors.

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Innovation is always a subject of interest to FreePint subscribers. We recently interviewed information managers from organisations in a variety of sectors and countries: Denmark, US and the UK, to ask them about their very different approaches to creativity in information services. 

Use High-Footfall Areas

Robin Neidorf interviewed Tina Holst-Nielsen of Ferring Pharmaceuticals in Denmark to find out about the way they've been embedding the information centre into the organisation's wider consciousness by using posters in key locations, such as lifts, where there's a constant footfall of staff.

They created an eye-catching infographic poster demonstrating the work of the information centre and the outputs and achievements of the company's expert authors in areas such as citations and publication in scientific journals.

Invest in the Latest Technology

Meanwhile Constance Ard interviewed Ethel Salonen, department head for Information Services at US-based MITRE Corporation, a not-for-profit organisation that operates research and development centres sponsored by the US federal government.  

At MITRE innovation in the information centre involves embedded librarianship and visualisation tools. The 3D printers are particularly popular and are used primarily to create prototypes and develop ideas.  

Make a Total Transition

From the UK comes a fascinating two-part case study on how a major subsea contractor transformed their service from a physical library to a global virtual information centre.

Mandy Smith shares her experiences of clever use of limited budget, creating a catalogue in a SharePoint list, to choosing the most appropriate authentication methods, and centralising and simplifying access to eResources.

One of the benefits of going virtual is being able to demonstrate usage, Mandy Smith explains, "Since we went online, we have tracked users and it cannot be denied that they are using the information centre, what they are using and who they are. It was a hard lesson to learn but now they cannot say we are not being used with 4,000 hits a month."

FreePint Subscribers can log in now to read:

• Use Your Public Exhibition Space to Market Your Services
• Innovation in Information Services at The MITRE Corporation
• Developing a Global Virtual Information Centre in the Subsea Sector.

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