An in-depth portrait of Irving Barber appears in the June 24, 2010 issue of the South Delta Leader.

You can view the profile here.

The Summer 2010 issue of British Columbia History features a story on a digitization project that involved UBC Library as a partner.

The article also thanks Ingrid Parent, University Librarian, and Chris Hives, University Archivist, who received a Certificate of Merit at a recent awards reception put on by the BC Historical Federation.

You can view the piece here: BC History, Summer 2010

UBC Library’s new strategic plan is featured in the latest issue of the newsletter from the CPSLD – the Council of Post Secondary Library Directors.

You can view the article here – it appears on page 23 of the newsletter.

You can review the latest Business in Vancouver book reviews below, which feature contributions from UBC Library’s Jan Wallace and UBC Bookstore’s Treena Chambers.

This article from Business in Vancouver May 11-17, 2010; issue 1072

Building a better business through the power of the mind

The Brain Advantage

By Madeleine L. Van Hecke, Lisa P. Callahan, Brad Kolar and Ken A. Paller

Prometheus, 2010

Applying current brain research to improve management practices seems like a stretch, but understanding human behaviour is essential to running a good organization.

By the time business leaders have advanced through the ranks, they have considerable confidence in their decision-making, people-management and leadership styles – confidence in the way their brains have learned to function. But recent research in cognitive science can help leaders improve the way they approach problems and opportunities at work. Not only can managers better understand the way their own brains function; they can also use the research to manage other people more effectively.

For example, researchers working with chimpanzees at the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig, Germany, found that chimps react withviolence, sabotage and retaliatory non-compliance when they perceive they are being treated less fairly than other chimps. Humans also react when they perceive unfairness, resulting in increased employee theft, attrition, lowered productivity and an atmosphere of griping and complaining. How then can managers treat their people fairly – not necessarily equally, but fairly? The chapter on fairness explores these concepts and makes actionable recommendations for managers.

Other chapters deal with trust, social exclusion, mood contagion, the multi-tasking trap, paying attention and other topics. In each chapter, the science of the brain is explained and related in a very readable way to real situations that occur in management. Stories and “minicases” then illustrate how leaders might change the way they manage based on specific research.

There were many “aha!” moments for me while reading this book. Have you ever wondered why seasoned leaders surround themselves with a few superhero “experts” instead of crowd-sourcing opinions? Or how human error can cause mistakes, even when detailed checklists are used to prevent them? If hiding negative emotions causes personal and physical stress, how can those emotions be explored in a healthy way in the workplace? This book is not only fascinating to read, but offers many practical concepts and devices for translating what we are learning about the human brain into new ways of improving your own – and your organization’s – chances for success. •

Jan Wallace is head of the David Lam Management Research Library at UBC’s Sauder School of Business.

Perfect Phrases for Professional Networking

By Susan Benjamin

McGraw-Hill, 2009

Do you need help breaking the ice in social situations? In Perfect Phrases for Professional Networking you can learn techniques that will help you start making connections today. Create and steer conversations, or use the versatile phrases and concrete advice to help you find leads or make cold contacts. No more fumbling or staring at your shoes! Know what to say – and when to say it.

Perfect Phrases for Presenting Business Strategies

By Don Debelak

McGraw-Hill, 2010

Perfect Phrases for Presenting Business Strategies is your language toolbox that will allow you to create and communicate compelling business strategies. Whether the focus is internal or external, you will find the help you need to tailor your message for any audience. Your business presentations will be informative, professional and impactful. Short on price but long on advice, this book will arm you with techniques to solve problems and create strategic advantages.

Perfect Phrases for Communicating Change

By Lawrence Polsky and Antoine Gerschel

McGraw-Hill, 2010

Have you faced change and found yourself at a loss for words? Perfect Phrases for Communicating Change tailors phrases to reflect many communication styles and messages, offering a phrase for everything and everyone. Whether you are implementing, executing or sustaining change within your organization, this book will help you communicate common goals, resolve conflicts and cultivate trust. •

Treena Chambers is the marketing technology co-ordinator at the UBC Bookstore.

BC Books Online, a project that is supported by the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre and UBC Library, is featured in the online publication The Tyee. You can view the article here.

BC Books Online is also featured in the Globe and Mail, the Nanaimo News Bulletin, the Harbour City Star, the Ladysmith Chronicle and the Prince George Citizen.

The following article – Five voices, two perspectives: integrating student librarians into a science and engineering library – has been published in Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship, a key open access, peer-reviewed journal on science librarianship.

The article is a collaboration between three students from UBC’s School of Library, Archival and Information Studies (Samantha Sinanan, Lindsay Tripp and Lindsay Willson) and two UBC science librarians (Eugene Barsky and Aleteia Greenwood).

Congratulations all!

The announcement about the donation of Douglas Coupland’s archives to UBC Library has received extensive media coverage.

The story received national coverage in The Globe and Mail. It was also covered by CTV Online, CBC Online and Metro Vancouver. 

CBC Radio One also interviewed Coupland and Ralph Stanton, Head of Rare Books and Special Collections, and Radio Canada International will interview Stanton on Tuesday morning, May 25.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this story a success.

You can review the latest Business in Vancouver book review below, which features contributions from UBC Library’s Jan Wallace and UBC Bookstore’s Treena Chambers.

This article from Business in Vancouver, April 13-19, 2010; issue 1068

Book Reviews: New approach to management pushes innovation by design

Design Thinking: Integrating Innovation, Customer Experience and Brand Value

Edited by Thomas Lockwood

Allworth Press, 2010

Step aside Six Sigma – a new management doctrine has come to town.

Design thinking and its related stages, design management and design strategy, have come to the forefront of global business consciousness.

At a time when customers expect every product and service to be reliable, quality is no longer a differentiator. Innovation is the new differentiator, and design thinking is being seen as a way to drive innovation – not just in product and service design, but in forming corporate strategy and, ultimately, in improving every aspect of business performance.

This book is a compilation of essays by prominent design thinkers from editor Thomas Lockwood – president of Design Management Institute and former design manager at Sun Microsystems and StorageTek – to those at brand agencies, design consultancies and universities around the world.

As an innovation process, design thinking involves several key tenets:

•develop a deep, holistic understanding of the customer – not just consumption habits but the customer’s life outside the product in question;

•collaborate through interdisciplinary teams and with users to evaluate the concept or problem;

•quickly prototype and re-prototype the product, service or process;

•include visualization methods to experiment; and

•throughout the process, include concurrent business analysis to keep the thinking aligned with business opportunities and strategic goals

This kind of integrated breakthrough thinking has led to the dozens of examples described in the book, including the creation of Thinsulate/Goretex, 1st Source Bank’s addition of 50 new branches, Whole Foods’ focus on customer lifestyles and Steelcase’s successful overseas expansion.

Because the book is a dense read it might best be consumed over several weeks. In places, the fervency of the writing has the zeal of religious dogma, but the practical suggestions ring true, and I have already made use of design thinking in planning a service for our new Learning Commons at the UBC Sauder School of Business.

The new design management thought trend is worth knowing and applying to organizational products, services and business processes. •

Jan Wallace is head of the David Lam Management Research Library at UBC’s Sauder School of Business.

The 60 Second Innovator: 60 Solid Techniques for Creative & Profitable Ideas at Work

By Jeff Davidson

Adams Media, 2009

It takes one to know one. In The 60 Second Innovator, Davidson gives you the tools to challenge yourself, your staff and your co-workers to address challenges with a fresh set of eyes looking toward a more creative resolution.

The book is divided into six sections, and each one offers tips that will help you find your own creativity and help you be seen as an innovator in your workplace.

Davidson’s humour and direct approach will help you find your inner innovator and recognize those in your workplace who can support you to achieve.

Design Revolution: 100 Products That Empower People

By Emily Pilloton

Metropolis Books, 2009

Design Revolution: 100 Products that Empower People makes the case that smart design can create a better world. In this book you will see how Pilloton’s initial challenge to designers – design products to empower people, move beyond being “stuff creators” to become change-makers – has led to safer baby bottles, DIY soccer balls, low-cost prosthetics for landmine victims and even a better bucket to carry water. Who knew a fire extinguisher could be sexy? Beautiful photos and engaging product explanations point us in the direction design should be going. Inspiring and engaging. •

Treena Chambers is the marketing technology co-ordinator at UBC Bookstore.

The April 2010 issue of College & Research Libraries News, an American publication, features an image from UBC Library’s Rare Books and Special Collections on the front cover. Some additional information about the image and the UBC Library Vault is provided inside the publication.

You can view the issue here.

UBC Library’s exceptional Alice in Wonderland collection, housed in Rare Books and Special Collections, is featured on CBC TV news.

The reporter, Bob Nixon, includes some thoughts and a video clip of the story here.