Conditions for Creativity and Innovation in the Work Environment of Academic Libraries in the United States and Canada

Abstract

Creativity, the development of a new product, idea, or problem solution that is valuable within the local context, is vital to innovating, problem-solving, and facilitating change. An individual’s ability to be creative largely depends on whether their environment supports creative work. This study explores how academic library employees in the United States and Canada perceive their work environment to better understand whether current academic libraries facilitate creative work in relation to management practices, organizational motivation, resources, and outcomes. The study finds that academic libraries fall at or below the median in all four categories.

Keywords:

• Creativity
• innovation
• academic libraries
• work environment
• organizational climate
• organizational culture

Acknowledgments

As is the case with any research, this work could not have been done without the help and support of many. First, all KEYS^® items were used with the permission of Teresa M. Amabile, Ph.D., and this research would not have been possible without her approval. Funding for this research was provided by a Junior Rashkind Faculty Development Grant awarded by Randolph-Macon College in Spring 2020. Thank you to Ellen Robertson, Susan Falciani Maldanado, Kawanna Bright, and members of the research group I found through the Librarian Parlor classifieds, specifically Nina Exeter, Adrienne Warner, and Karen Harker, for their suggestions, feedback, and encouragement. Finally, thank you to all who participated in the survey in summer 2021, I appreciate your time.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).