1. Migration Matters 1, Charleston Conference 2004 People Issues in Library System Migrations Mary Mallery, Ph.D. Montclair State University Library

2. Migration Matters 1, Charleston Conference 2004 Background Montclair State University is the second largest university in NJ with 14,000 students Montclair State University is the second largest university in NJ with 14,000 students Sprague Library holds 650,000 books and 1,800 periodicals Sprague Library holds 650,000 books and 1,800 periodicals Library system migration from DRA Classic with Web2 to Sirsi Unicorn with iLink in June, 2003. Library system migration from DRA Classic with Web2 to Sirsi Unicorn with iLink in June, 2003.

3. Migration Matters 1, Charleston Conference 2004 Issue 1: Communication What do you mean we’re “migrating” to a new system? What do you mean we’re “migrating” to a new system?

4. Migration Matters 1, Charleston Conference 2004 Issue 2: Physical Challenge Cognitive research shows that it can take a person up to 3 weeks to physically adapt to a change in their environment. Cognitive research shows that it can take a person up to 3 weeks to physically adapt to a change in their environment.

5. Migration Matters 1, Charleston Conference 2004 Issue 3: Fear Factor What if the new system makes my job obsolete? What if the new system makes my job obsolete?

6. Migration Matters 1, Charleston Conference 2004 Issue 4: Breaking Traditions “We’ve always used the Kardex to check in the serials.” “We’ve always used the Kardex to check in the serials.”

7. Migration Matters 1, Charleston Conference 2004 Teambuilding Solutions Communication: Communication: Explain the need for the system change. Ask for input in small forums. Make people part of the choice. Do a Stakeholders Analysis after the implementation.

8. Migration Matters 1, Charleston Conference 2004 Teambuilding Solutions Fear Factor Fear Factor Host a Venting Session, where people say one good thing and one bad thing about the new system, then follow up with the vendor.

9. Migration Matters 1, Charleston Conference 2004 Teambuilding Solutions Physical Challenge Physical Challenge Review ergonomics of workstations. Elect a department Resource Person who will answer questions on the spot. Train staff pre-, intra- and post-migration.

10. Migration Matters 1, Charleston Conference 2004 Teambuilding Solutions Breaking Traditions Breaking Traditions Take Field Trips to a Library that uses the new system Join Webforums and listservs Host Local Users Group meetings

11. Migration Matters 1, Charleston Conference 2004 Break Down Invisible Fences! "If you do not think about work- flow processes when you implement your new system, you might not be able to fully utilize your new software, ending up with a very expensive substitute for your old system." "If you do not think about work- flow processes when you implement your new system, you might not be able to fully utilize your new software, ending up with a very expensive substitute for your old system." From Corey Seeman, “Breaking Down Invisible Fences" Computers in Libraries July/august 2002: 25-30

12. Migration Matters 1, Charleston Conference 2004 Montclair State University Library Teams Technology Group Technology Group System Migration Team System Migration Team Data Testing Group Data Testing Group Trainers Group Trainers Group OPAC Design Group OPAC Design Group Report Coordinators Report Coordinators Troubleshooting Team Troubleshooting Team System Futurists System Futurists

13. Migration Matters 1, Charleston Conference 2004 Contact Info: mallerym@mail.montclair.edu Mary Mallery, Ph.D. Montclair State University Library