Pour Your Heart Into It

In his book, Pour Your Heart Into It, Howard Schultz, the founder of Starbucks, discusses many different topics that I believe are applicable to libraries.

One of Schultz's goals for Starbucks was to create a "third place." This idea was based on both the cafes in Italy that Schultz visited as well as social science research. The third place is used as a way to build a community outside of the home and workplace. This is something libraries should embrace and many have. Schultz believes Starbucks prospers because his stores allow people to escape everyday life.

From the beginning, Schultz believed that it was important to respect his employees. If the employees are satisfied they can create interpersonal relationships with customers, which will keep them coming back. Professional librarians should be treated with respect. Their service is what keeps users coming back. Libraries cannot reward their librarians in the same way as a for-profit company, but they can provide librarians with incentives to do their job well. For example, a library could agree to help a staff member attend a professional conference.

Schultz also values ingenuity at Starbucks. I believe libraries are starting to understand that they must embrace technology and are finding ingenious ways to use it. However, I think librarians need to push farther. Information professionals constantly hear that they are obsolete because of Google. Why not take the initiative to build a better answer to Google? One that would allow users to conduct more accurate searches and would incorporate reference strategies.

As the leader of such a large organization, Schultz discusses how difficult it is to remain the fearless leader and keeper of the company's vision. I believe the same can be true for library leaders. With such a poor economy in Michigan right now, some library directors may feel that their situations are hopeless. However, when you feel as passionately about a company as Howard Schultz does or librarians about their libraries, you need to fight for it. Schultz did not open his first Starbucks store and become a millionaire. He had to ask and beg for money. He had to go without pay for several years before the company turned a profit. While this is exact situation may not be applicable to libraries, his determination is. As Keith Fiels, the Executive Director of the American Library Association, said in his speech at the LISP's 40th anniversary, "Never be afraid to ask." Fiels said this to encourage librarians to ask their legislatures for the funds they need. It may be the only way for librarians to create a third place for their communities, embrace ingenuity and gain the respect and recognition they deserve.