Public Libraries and Innovation in Greece: An Option or a Necessity?

Abstract

Purpose

Innovation is proven to be an essential element of every organisation that wants to achieve survival and sustain its presence. Libraries as information organisations are transformed into innovation incubators because of the fluid information environment, the social and economic influences and their desire to advance the public good. The Greek public libraries of Nafpaktos, Levadia and Veria are known examples of libraries that have successfully embraced change and innovation. This research aims to identify, through a content analysis of these specific public libraries’ websites, the innovative services they offer to the community.

Findings

It was found that the chosen public libraries offer a wide range of innovative services (e.g. Media Lab, Information Centres). No matter the challenges the Greek public libraries are facing, they have developed the necessary internal mechanisms to change the difficulties into opportunities and chance for excellence.

Citation

Vassilakaki, E. and Moniarou-Papaconstantinou, V. (2016), "Public Libraries and Innovation in Greece: An Option or a Necessity?", Innovation in Libraries and Information Services (Advances in Library Administration and Organization, Vol. 35), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 243-255. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0732-067120160000035017