We recently shared our new mission for 2021, which grew from a reflection on the past year and the struggles libraries and librarians have faced. If you missed it, you can read it here. The last year has thrown lots of challenges our way as the library industry migrated to off-campus learning and research, and we moved to a fully remote environment.
At Lean Library, we understand that our company wouldn’t be what it is without our talented employees working hard and navigating this unusual time so well. Moving forwards, we’ll be sharing a monthly Get to Know Lean Library series, to showcase each member of our company and give you a little bit of insight into what makes us such a diverse and collaborative team, highlighting our key values along the way.
The first employee under the spotlight is Adam Barry, our amazing Development Manager for Europe! Adam has worked at Lean Library for just over two years, and he truly embodies our mission to put the library and librarians at the centre of everything we do.
Read on to find out more about Adam, his love of nature, making people smile, and the staple of his desk – a trusty beard brush!
Can you tell us a bit about what you do at Lean Library?
We’re a small team, so we wear multiple hats, but my primary responsibility is taking care of our customers in Europe. I spend most of my time helping librarians get maximum value from the Lean Library services, whether this comes in the form of demos, training, technical support, engagement/promotion, special projects, or anything that helps our customers succeed!
What is your favourite thing about working at Lean Library?
I get to collaborate with amazing people. It’s great to connect with such a supportive, diverse, and bright bunch of human beings. I love to help people, and what do you know, librarians do too! I help librarians assist their patrons. Win, win!
What is your favourite Lean Library value, and how have you seen it put into action?
My favourite value is ‘Pioneering.’ After everything that has happened over the past year, it has forced many to look at how they do things. The shift to the digital mind is underway, and many industries are pioneering new ways of doing things. I am excited to be part of the change in how libraries deliver their services to their users. The ambition of Lean Library is to highlight and showcase the range of services and content libraries offer. I am grateful that we are pioneering a new way of thinking to help the library serve as many patrons as possible.
What’s the best day you’ve ever had at work? Is there a particular project or milestone you are proud of?
I have had so many! I am struggling with this one. My gut feeling is telling me that the best is yet to come. Library Futures is a game-changer, and I look forward to collaborating with many universities on many different projects this year! Let’s stamp a time-marker and have this conversation next year…
What three things are always on your desk?
Plants, Orgone Generator Pyramid, and a… beard brush!
You can choose up to four people (dead or alive) to join your dinner party. Who are they?
Nikola Tesla, Gautama Buddha, Mooji, and Max Planck.
You need to put your head down and get some work done. Do you have a go-to song?
Hm, not as such. I have a range of music I would listen to depending on the task. Anything from classical music for creativity or electronic music to wake me up!
It’s your day off. What do you have planned?
Weather dependant, being outside! I live near a beach and forest, so I hop on my bike and enjoy nature as much as possible. I’m learning how to produce music, and very soon, I’m buying a graphics tablet to learn how to animate.
If you didn’t work at Lean Library or as a Development Manager, what would you want to do?
I want to help make a difference to people! I was very fortunate to learn from a fantastic master-linguist who helped me understand how language creates our experience. For many years I’ve worked with individuals who suffer so that they can gain a new perspective and ultimately live a more joyous life! I want to help people smile.
Look out for the next post in the Get to Know Lean Library series, coming next month.