Finances for libraries & information services

Yep, it IS all the in money. We librarians know that, but relating to our budgets in the same way that our funders relate to budgets continues to be a struggle for many of us. So I was delighted to talk with John Latham and learn that he’s bringing his 2 day Financial Management for Information Services course to Toronto, April 10 – 11, 2008. John is an accountant who not only understands libraries and information functions, but manages SLA’s information center. When I asked John about his course, he responded in his usual candid way: “If we are going to play with the “big boys” we have to learn how to play with their toys: budgets, balance sheets, and income statements (1). We are always whining about not being paid enough and not being at the executive or decision-making table, but my experience is that info pros either don’t think it’s important, or are not willing to learn about financial management. I devoted my September 2007 Information Management column in Information Outlook to the subject, and have given presentations on the subject at various venues.” And members of OLA and SLA receive a discount! Now that’s talking money….