Real-world experience: Lessons learnt from my experience of bringing a fully outsourced library service back in-house

Abstract

In my first post as a newly qualified librarian way back in 1987, fresh from Aberystwyth with my BLib, I had, what I assume to be, the rare experience of bringing a fully outsourced library service back in-house and creating a new in-house service. All our work experiences are learning opportunities, but this particular event, so early in my career, taught me some very valuable lessons that I have used and built on throughout my 30 plus years working as an information professional. What I learned I have used both for managing and setting up new library and information services and functions, and also when I have applied outsourcing solutions for different projects or individual services.