Pleasing all at the expense of many

Abstract

Purpose

This article's aim is to provide insights into issues encountered in maintaining library technologies on a limited budget and with limited personnel.

Design/methodology/approach

The article uses real world experiences to provide commentary on decision‐making practices as they relate to discontinuing library services under increasingly tight budget constraints.

Findings

Librarians’ strong service ethic is both a benefit and a detriment. In their efforts to serve all, they often stretch thin the human, financial, and temporal resources, thereby adversely affecting the most valuable services.

Originality/value

The article uses real‐world examples to provide critical commentary on the decision‐making process as it relates to continuing / discontinuing library services and resources.

Citation

McMullen, A. (2011), "Pleasing all at the expense of many", The Bottom Line, Vol. 24 No. 4, pp. 218-220. https://doi.org/10.1108/08880451111193307