Got Projects? Try Managing Them

Filippa M. Anzalone, Boston College Law School

Abstract

Ponder the following scenario. You are a hardworking (choose one): (a) librarian, (b) knowledge worker or (c) information professional. You are employed in a busy (choose one): (a) academic law library, (b) law firm library, or (c) court or state library. You are up to your ears with work, and now your (choose one): (a) dean, (b) managing partner or (c) court administrator wants the law library to (choose one): (a) start a library friends group; (b) design and implement an organizational training program for new law clerks; or (c) move from an outdated integrated library system to a new Web-based library management system.

Sound familiar? Then you need a project management plan. In today’s fast-paced and hard-driving information world, it is imperative that law librarians take advantage of every resource available, including personnel and money. Because successful project management maximizes shrinking budgets and empowers talented staff through teamwork, librarians using project management techniques will be able to tackle their special projects efficiently while still fulfilling their daily job responsibilities.