TickerThe Academic Business Librarianship Review

Making a Pitch

Diane Zabel

Where Classic Meets Modern: Trends from Academic Business Library Directors' Year in Review Reports, 2019-2020

Greg Fleming and Emily Miles

A summary of Year in Review reports of members of the Academic Business Library Directors (ABLD) is presented. Themes include new and ongoing initiatives in libraries, library collections, organizational change in libraries and member business schools and changes in library spaces.

The Uncommon Commons: Transforming the Business Library at the Wisconsin Business School for Artful Engagement

Michael Enyart

Michael Enyart’s discussion of the transformation of the Business Library at the Wisconsin Business School into the new Business Learning Commons brings to light the depth and complexity of such a project, and the need to cultivate relationships with key stakeholders long before any such project can come to fruition. Enyart’s team as well as representatives from the Business College and the General Library System reimagined the Business Library and proximal spaces to reflect changes in business education, student and faculty preferences and service delivery models within the larger library itself. The new space has been very well received as both foot traffic and classroom usage continue to rise. Finally, Enyart notes that his experience has convinced him of the need to update and reimagine business library spaces on a more frequent basis as user behaviors have begun to emerge that challenge the new space. —Laura Walesby, Column Editor

Never Give Up on a Good Idea: Advocating for the Business Information Commons at Wake Forest University

Bob Hebert

Bob Hebert outlines the long process involved in the development and eventual launch of the new Business Information Commons in the new business college building, Farrell Hall, at Wake Forest University. Bob displayed tenacity and grit in never giving up on the idea and in steadfastly advocating for an information commons over the years. His patience, perseverance and political savvy paid off in the end as the new Business Information Commons opened in 2013 in the heart of Farrell Hall to rave reviews from faculty, administrators and students alike. —Laura Walesby, Column Editor

A Librarian’s Approach to Teaching the Business Pitch

Sally Armstrong

A business pitch can make or break an entrepreneur. Missing the mark during a pitch can mean losing out on prize money or investor funds to support the growth of a business. Introducing students to the fundamentals of a business pitch helps to set them up for future success as an entrepreneur. This case study describes how an Entrepreneurship Librarian taught the elements of a business pitch to a first-year business course offering students a unique perspective, particularly when identifying a market opportunity. Short videos assisted with students actively learning the elements of a business pitch and guided development of their own pitches. The librarian attended their practice pitches to assist the instructor with preliminary assessment in both structure and content of the student business pitches. Teaching the business pitch provides librarians a new engagement opportunity to impress upon both faculty and students that a librarian’s expertise extends beyond library resources.

We’re in the Money: A Guide to Getting Involved in Student Financial Literacy for Business Librarians

Lauren Reiter

Many of us in business librarianship have the opportunity to contribute to financial literary programming, knowledge, and education with our constituents in academia. With the increase in entrepreneurial endeavors at various universities, it is important to help students understand the need for financial planning, budgeting, and other important concepts within financial literacy. In this article, Lauren Reiter discusses some tips on how business librarians can connect with students and other campus stakeholders in the hopes of forwarding financial literacy efforts, and points to additional helpful resources to consider as well. —Ryan Splenda and Eve Wider, Column Editors

Investigation of British Columbia Entrepreneurs' Secondary Market Research Habits and Information Needs

Kim Buschert, Aleha McCauley, Nick Rochlin, Laura Thorne, and Irena Trebic

Entrepreneurial research is of increasing significance to North American universities. University libraries have developed or enhanced services and supports for entrepreneurial researchers, to differing degrees. Currently, University of British Columbia (UBC) Library offers secondary research support to both campus and community entrepreneurs. In fall 2017, UBC librarians conducted a study in order to better understand the research habits and information-related needs of entrepreneurial researchers, as they relate to the development of business ventures at UBC and in British Columbia. The findings present opportunities for UBC librarians to create innovative services to attract and engage with entrepreneurs more completely. In order to meet the needs of BC entrepreneurs, possible considerations include targeting early-stage entrepreneurs (especially for library workshops), exploring access options and collections for entrepreneurs, developing and promoting online services, and having a service model with a single service entry point for entrepreneurs. Thorough marketing of entrepreneurial services is needed to ensure that the library is seen as a valuable resource. In addition to developing services and collections, forming partnerships with campus groups, community agencies and business groups is another way to increase awareness of library support for entrepreneurs.