So many changes, so little time? How can we create, keep up with, and manage change in our libraries?

Session Notes

Effecting Change leadership track
Jen opened up the session after introductions

Overcoming silos to be known as librarians (not a certain type) / expanding our horizons, outreach

The transparent library = open comm., adapt to change, scanning horizons, no secrets, open conversation (question raised, is this flexible library rather than transparent?)

What prevents a library from being transparent?

Is it greater than organizational change?

Perhaps we need to inspire people to change their attitudes. Is this possible?

Scanning the horizons -what's coming?:

• Embedded librarians/ decentralization.
• Job descriptions will be changing, impacting everyone in the library, types of duties librarians are expected to fill (recruiting non-librarians) crative, graphic design, marketing, computer programing positions.
• Moving from info providers to collaborators in creating additional information.
• No longer the place users come to, we are going to the users. Perhaps we will have a virtual library for each field of study (i.e. Kindle, not content specific, lots of uses without leaving yourhome).
• More and more digital, less of the library as a space. Library is more than resources on the shelves, it's people, feelings, environment, service. Can foster community events and a sense of community, specifically for disasters (9/11), a way to share. A need to connect with other people, see, talk, a safe place to explore ideas and learn without people judging, and it's free!
• We have to facilitate changes in public perception about libraries (not just a place to read).
• Economics drive decisions - users are doing things on their own, they don't really need us. We are seeing a new generation of users who don't always need physical things.
• People is where the added value is with libraries. We should try to start thinking of different avenues to reach students, be more personable.

Estimate of 3 million books to be published this year, publishers seem to be invested in print.

Seeing the evolution of libraries. Being all things to all people without increasing the budget.

We need to do more user studies, what they want, effecting meaningful change for our users, not just change for the sake of change.

Marketing:

• Find a niche audience and target them

The way people get information now is completely different than the past generations.

Watch out that we're not doing things that make us comfortable or happy, but focus on talking and listening to users.

Start with talking about the community, don't even talk about how the library can be involved, then see how the library fits in with those needs, then do it.

Maybe we are a space for use, free is a key issue, immediacy of information resources helps us.

Are people willing to pay for faster/better services? You get what you pay for, we do what we can with the resources we have. In terms of leadership, it's up to us to find out what people want and to bring people along, reassuring them, nurturing them.

ILS Migration Stages of Grief:
One Stage at a Time: migration, grief and a new generation by Andrew K. Pace

What do we need to do to be leaders for the future?
• NYLA Leadership Institute
• SU class leadership in libraries and management in libraries
• Perhaps we need more management skills
• Lack of mentoring in libraries

Leadership is different than library management

What is the relationship of fear to change?

What are the qualities of a real leader:

• Knowing when to take control
• When to let go of control
• Different levels of vision
• To recognize and encourage leadership in others (empowerment)
• Respect for staff, that you value them, constructive criticism
• Ability to listen without becoming defensive

How do you work with someone who is resistant to change?

• Encourage them to take responsibility, this is a reality and at some point you have to decide to buy in or not
• Encountering problems with tenured or long-time civil service librarians (and faculty members) - sometimes they see no need or reason why they should change. How do you deal with that kind of a mindset?
• Sometimes these people are embedded in a cynical microculture. As a leader, you need to try to make changes to those microcultures - move people around, make small changes, appreciate the networking in which that person works. Try to influence the social factors.

Strategic Planning Changes:
Brainstorming about what library skills were before we started focusing on technology, go back to the people skillls and basic library functions. It isn't all technology, we should work more on the people aspect of it. Have a good attitude towards different populations of users (i.e. teens).



Resources
Keeping Up With the Field- Ideas for staying "in-the-know"

The Transparent Library- what makes us succeed as a team

Planning for New Library Futures- long- range strategic planning