Organizing for change - 1 Barbie E. Keiser University of Vilnius Library May 2007

2 Today’s presentation will… Outline the driving forces behind the changes Develop a probable scenario of the future role of an information professional Identify an action plan for success, together with a recommended organizational approach

3 Organizational structure for the academic library Will today’s organization meet the needs of the academic library in the 21st century? How do we determine what those needs might be? How do we prepare for the unknown?

4 Your environment is changing What impact does your library have? Can you prove your worth? Is your influence increasing or decreasing?

5 Change Change yields opportunity Perception of the library/the librarian –Capabilities –Responsibilities Organizations/individuals begin to recognize the value of information –Information explosion –High cost of information –Role for the information professional/information manager

6 Objectives of an information system Provide timely information Integrate the information Be concise Provide information in the most useful format Provide information cost-effectively Provide relevant information

7 Why consider change? What is not working now? What is within our power to change? How might that change be accomplished?

8 Identifying trends Technology Competitive business environment Management of organizations Economics Social issues/lifestyles Information: management and technology Librarianship: the way we operate

9 Changing world of information Past Departmentalized Redundant Limited access “Free” Manual Present/Future

10 Their impact on libraries How can we deal (more) effectively with each of these changes? How can we help ourselves/our colleagues feel (more) comfortable operating within an increasingly technologically-advanced setting?

11 Libraries and librarians: The old view Responsive in nature Requests come in writing or by telephone People had no idea where data originated A trial-and-error process Information was deemed “free” Value and worth of information never addressed A concept of “no competition”

12 A different game today Technology is changing the world around us Global economy is increasing competition Organizations are re-structuring New marketing techniques are developing Price competition forcing businesses to cut costs

13 The “new” information professional… Expands activities beyond four walls Accepts new roles as facilitator, educator, and consultant Increases visibility of operations, products, services, and staff Targets strategically important user groups Uses accepted business techniques to justify value and worth Reinforces the value of information to all Takes advantage of advances in information technologies

14 The “new” information professional…(con’t) Cooperates with suppliers and competitors to promote information and technology use Recognizes competition and develops techniques to deal with it Anticipates requests for information Develops products and services that are unique and identifiable Acts as a catalyst to broaden the vision of others

15 Expand your horizons Recognize the changing environment Realize the significance of these changes Reposition your library strategically

16 How do we get there? Acknowledge the changes that have occurred Utilize changes to expand your role Alter the perception of the librarian by becoming a better business manager Market your skills and your library

17 New responsibilities accompany new roles Move from library to information to knowledge management Shift from managing information within a library to facilitating access to information no matter where that information resides Deal ethically with information Assure preservation of information/ information resources independent of media

18 Portrait of the new librarian Expands activities beyond the library’s four walls Anticipates requests for information Supplies more analytical and strategic information Reinforces the value of information Develops products that are unique and identifiable Recognizes competition and develops strategies to deal with it –Works with publishers and vendors to promote information use

19 Portrait of the new librarian (con’t) Accepts new roles of educator and consultant Takes advantage of advances in information technologies Uses accepted business techniques to justify value and worth Acts as a catalyst to broaden the vision of others Increases visibility of the library by participating in university activities Targets specific groups and develops services that appeal to each group Uses new technology to introduce profit-making services

20 How do we get from where we are to where we want to be? Planning Communication Involvement Education/training

21 What might hold us back? Preconceived notions as to what the library can offer Communication of our role to others Existing structure/organization Human resources Economic realities

22 What you will learn How to assess and understand the needs of your market How to identify your strengths and weaknesses How to identify opportunities that exist

23 Consider alternative structures Centralization vs. decentralization Departmental vs. team approach Partnerships with users; strategic alliances with information producers/ providers Options for outsourcing (and other possibilities)

24 New technologies enable new structures Collection development Acquisitions Cataloguing Reference Circulation Inter-library loans Consortia Internet Digital libraries Copyright issues Transparency of location

25 Old vs. new structure Old Internal focus Departmental Specialization Restricted access to information ? New External focus Team/project- oriented Cross-functional training Open systems ?

26 Where are the opportunities for the University of Vilnius’ library?