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Leading Edge Group supports libraries in achieving operational excellence, improving service delivery, enhancing staff engagement, optimizing workflows and better meeting the evolving needs of their communities.

We provide targeted training programs and consultancy support for the library sector, empowering staff at all levels – from frontline library assistants to leadership teams – to drive meaningful change and continuous improvement.

Lean in Libraries

Lean is a proven, structured approach to streamlining processes, eliminating inefficiencies and maximizing value. In a library setting, Lean focuses on identifying what matters most to customers and staff and removing the barriers that prevent efficient service delivery.

With Lean thinking, libraries can:

Reduce time spent on repetitive administrative tasks, increasing overall efficiency
Improve the flow of resources and information to eliminate delays and duplication
Increase accessibility and responsiveness to customers while reducing service bottlenecks
Free up staff to focus on high-value services such as programming, outreach and learning support, maximizing the impact of existing resources
Achieve greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness across operations, ensuring optimal use of budgets, space and staffing

Lean helps libraries do more with less, making the best use of limited budgets, space and staffing. It supports a sustainable culture of continuous improvement and empowers teams to innovate and adapt in a rapidly evolving environment.

We offer a range of training programs tailored to the unique needs of libraries, spanning foundational awareness sessions to advanced applied learning. These programs equip staff at all levels, from frontline employees to senior leadership, with the tools and knowledge to improve services, increase efficiency and foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

Our trainings are available in multiple formats and can be customized to align with your library’s goals, priorities and team structure. Programs focus on practical strategies for service improvement, operational excellence, leadership development, digital transformation and more.

Lean Belt Training

For libraries seeking a structured approach to improvement, we offer Lean White, Yellow, Green and Black Belt programs. Each level builds practical skills to help staff streamline processes, solve problems and improve service delivery.

For libraries beginning their Lean journey, the Lean for Libraries Yellow Belt training program is an excellent starting point. It introduces core Lean principles through practical tools and real-world library examples, laying a strong foundation for ongoing improvement.

Whether you are aiming to streamline acquisitions, enhance customer experience, or optimize back-office operations, our training programs deliver sustainable results across public, academic and special libraries.

Our approach is based on a collaborative, partnership-driven working style; effective stakeholder engagement, knowledge transfer, and consensus building to develop practical, sustainable solutions that meet the unique needs of your library.

Lean methodology has been successfully applied in library settings to:

Reduce lead time for book procurement, lowering rush order costs and improving supplier efficiency
Speed up processing of new acquisitions, minimizing storage needs and reducing administrative overhead
Improve inventory accuracy and efficiency, decreasing losses, duplication and unnecessary purchases
Enhance service response times, reducing staff time per transaction and increasing patron throughput
Optimize staff allocation and utilization, ensuring labor resources are focused where they deliver the most value
Standardize book handling and shelving, streamlining training, reducing errors and improving productivity

Whether you’re a small branch library or a large multi-site system, Lean provides the tools and mindset to continuously improve services, control costs, better engage your community and support a thriving future for libraries.

Further Information

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Our Clients

We work with staff at all levels and functions of the organization, from Operations Managers to front-line staff. We’ve helped both large and small enterprises across Canada with their Continuous Improvement efforts.