Lighting the Way

Ohio Libraries, Summer 2005

Stephen Abram Speaks at the OLC's 2005 Annual Conference

"If you don't dream atout the future, you just can't toe one. All you'll have is an endless series of the present."

"There are three things that all of us can do to make the future better:

1. Be the 'library' brand

2. Promote and sell

3. Have a vision and communicate it."

Integral to many of Sirsi Corporation's new initiatives (e.g., integrating RSS feeds into the library ILS and permitting libraries to link their holdings to Google(TM) Scholar), Vice President of Innovation Stephen Abram, MLS, uses his interactions with library staff across the world to identify the "trends, shifts, and changes" in the environment that impact libraries.

Members of the Ohio library community will have the opportunity to meet Abram at the OLC's 2005 Annual Conference and Exposition on October 5-7 in Columbus. Here's a preview of Abram's thoughts on where libraries are headed in the future and his personal rules for success.

1) DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE AND SOME OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AT SIRSI AS VICE PRESIDENT OF INNOVATION.

It's a wonderful position. Sirsi Corporation is a great company and report directly to a visionary leader, our CEO, Pat Sommers. My position covers a few things. First, I communicate innovative thinking to our customers and the library marketplace. That entails doing keynotes and speeches at strategic events to audiences of library decision makers, library workers, and librarians; designing, developing, and delivering key library and information technology strategy workshops or webinars; and writing and publishing key articles on topics of interest to the library world. second, I spend time identifying trends in the information world. I work to ensure that the most value is derived from our Gartner Group information and advice, and I facilitate and animate discussions of their insights as well as other research and identified trends. Overall we try to identify key trends that will affect Sirsi's products and clients and test these trends with key customers. Third, I work with my colleagues to introduce additional advanced innovation and creativity into our new product ideation and development process, including introducing new techniques and tools for stretching product development and conceptualization. Lastly, I actively seek new strategic alliances and partners for Sirsi and work closely with our sales and marketing folks on strategic issues like training and strategy. I participate in our strategic planning efforts and work strongly to ensure that Sirsi is innovative and aligned with our markets' needs.

2) IN 2002, LIBRARY JOURNAL NAMED YOU AS ONE OF THE KEY PEOPLE INFLUENCING THE FUTURE OF LIBRARIES AND LIBRARIANSHIP. YOU ARE A POPULAR SPEAKER AT LIBRARY AND INFORMATION INDUSTRY CONFERENCES AND YOU ARE OFTEN REFERRED TO AS AN INFORMATION INDUSTRY GURU. HOW DID YOU GET FROM LIBRARIAN TO SOMEONE SHAPING THE FUTURE OF LIBRARIES?

I acquired the label of being a lighthouse thinker in an introduction at a conference where I was keynoting and folks picked up on it-perhaps tongue-in-cheek. It's sort of embarrassing, but I think it means that I shine a light to keep people and their libraries off the rocks and shoals as they travel to their futures. I try at least to point to trends, shifts and changes so that folks, at least to some degree, are aware of things to watch for. One cool side benefit is that I am getting quite the collection of lighthouses, lighthouse books, and pictures!

Everyone's life is unique and that's a great thing! The things that make you a great information professional also make you a great person, a great friend, or a great parent. I don't claim to be any of these but try. My personal rules are:

1. Get involved. Loneliness and lack of success are direct consequences of not getting involved. The rewards of involvement know no bounds. Rejection is part of the process, not a rating of your life.

2. Be interested. Ask questions all the time and listen to the answers. I don't do too well on this one but I keep trying to improve.

3. Be interesting. Read widely and share what you know-write, blog, speak up.

4. Don't whine, tell sad tales, or internalize perceived slights. No one cares. Stop. Tell great stories about success and magic rubs off. When you do 100 reference questions, look back on them and reflect. Reflect on the great experiences and what made them great, not on the one bad experience. Share the great ones.

5. Don't wait to be asked. Volunteer, as often as it takes to get on board. I volunteer too often, and it's never been a bad experience-I always learn something.

6. Build your network. Tend it. You'll have colleagues-even friends-for life. One of the best ways to do this is through your associations. Don't just be a lurker.

7. Find mentors. Do your best to learn what they know.

This works for me. I hope it works for you.

3) WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU?

That's an interesting question! I am pretty much an open book. However, I do have a little artistic side. I have managed design projects and designed furniture, and, as well, I won a major interior design award for an office space project that I led. I do stained glass and create large windows and lamps, although lately I have been away too much to do much artwork.