Public libraries as welcoming space: The art of creative librarianship

Abstract

Public libraries face demands and challenges to practice the art creative librarianship. Creative librarianship means new, original and genuine library services which would attract the public eyes into the setting. Creativity in the field of librarianship is not only a product limited in bringing people inside the library but also bringing itself to the public, highlighting collaborative partnerships and public relations. Creative solutions start with positive attitude towards change and innovation and thus, it flourishes from vision into reality. Thus, creativity is as a powerful tool towards enhancing library services. Creativity encompasses resourcefulness. As reality as it is, lack of support from government sectors, tight budget, and outdated library concepts are one of the many factors that hinders the fruition of library innovations. As such, creativity is also pulling the current resources on its manpower, materials, and linkages, and making the best of it. Thereby, it provides solutions and comfort to the current problems and threats that public libraries face every day. But most importantly, creativity starts at the initiative of the people. It brings forth the potentially creative solutions into practical steps towards implementing innovative services in the library. The initiative to implement creativity in the art of librarianship helps the library to promote itself towards quality services that facilitates the growth of every individual as to their needs. Creative librarianship advocates that “Library is an ever growing organism” by S.R. Ranganathan. Thus, it is important that public libraries need to be addressed with the help of individuals in partnership with institutions and organizations, whether be it government or non-government. There will be no progress without creativity, and without creativity there will be no innovation in the library system. As such, it is important to establish linkages and partnerships so as to cooperate and have united goal and vision towards a brighter future. But most importantly, to create something so essential to ourselves first, by initiating our minds towards change and then we will be able to practice “creative librarianship.”