Achieving Cultural Change in Networked Libraries

by William Foster, Bruce J. Reid (Editor)

Overview

The advent of globally networked information is a historic change. Educational, commercial and industrial institutions depend on its effective exploitation for their success, but cultural and human factors are the biggest obstacles. This book looks at the roots of these problems and how they may be overcome, through understanding recent developments in technical services, the difference between service and technical orientation, organizational culture, the role of subject expertise and the cultural heritage of the information profession. The book provides guidance and outlines best practice in: managing converging technologies; supporting change with organizational models; using cultural audits; the role of focus groups in implementing change; characterizing a learning organization; succeeding as a change agent, and managing change through technical services. Several chapters discuss the Electronic Libraries programme and the TAPin (Training and Awareness Programme in networks) model as examples of how cultural change takes place, particularly in the academic environment; one chapter concentrates exclusively on the characteristics of special libraries. This illuminating insight into the evolution of information cultures and how they do or don’t adapt to networked services will help information and library managers to achieve change with deeper understanding, and will provide useful advice for senior managers restructuring IT and information departments. The book is core reading for students of Information Studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781351961035
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	03/02/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Bruce J Reid is Senior Lecturer in the School of Information Studies at the University of Central England in Birmingham, UK and Course Director of the Research Entry Masters in Information and Library Management. For three years he was Academic Advisor to TAPin, one of the Electronic Libraries projects on training and awareness in networks. His prior, practitioner, career was in university libraries in Britain and Australia. He is past Chair of the West Midlands Online User Group, former member of the SCONUL (Standing Committee of National and University Libraries) Advisory Committee on Information Services and has taught numerous short courses on online information retrieval. He has published widely, mainly on service aspects of academic information. William Foster is Head of Teaching, Learning and Quality in the School of Information Studies at the University of Central England in Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK. Academic Advisor to TAPin. He has previous experience of implementing library management systems and OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue) design, and currently teaches in the areas of information retrieval, technical services and Web design.

Table of Contents

Contents: Introduction, Bruce Reid; Professionalism and the cultural legacy, Bruce Reid; Organizational models for managing academic information, Bruce Reid; Developments in technical services: cultural change and organizational management, William Foster; The Electronic Libraries Programme: a vehicle for academic cultural change, William Foster; Convergence: a review of the literature, Alison Sutton; Technical convergence and the response of the academic institution, Alison Sutton; The change agent, Matt Holland; Identifying and working with stakeholder perspectives, Rob Lloyd-Owen; Organizational culture: assessment, audit and change, Bruce Reid and Helen Williams; The special library environment, Sharon Penfold; The TAPin model, Kay Flatten; The impact of the TAPin project on LIS staff, Helen Williams and Bruce Reid; Learning organization theory in the networked environment, Linda Newall; Out of our past: understanding our communication environment, Matt Holland; Change, research approaches and the future, Bruce Reid, William Foster and Matt Holland; Glossary; Index.

Editorial Reviews

’Very readable text ... The text of this book is high on the readability scale and well supported by an index, glossary and lists of contents, tables and figures. Students and researchers will find the comprehensive list of references accompanying each chapter an invaluable resource for further study. These references are evidence of the thorough research underpinning which characterises this volume.’ Program ’The editors should be congratulated for putting together such a thought-provoking range of perspectives. Throughout, emphasis is placed on the practicalities of managing and dealing with change but the theories that underpin organisational culture are never far away. Anyone who is seeking a deeper understanding of cultural change in academic libraries or who is (about to be) involved in a major restructuring exercise will gain helpful advice in this impressive volume.’ Library Association Record ’All in all, there is likely to be something of value in the book for anyone interested in the organisational impact of electronic information services.’ UKOLUG Newsletter ’It is probably the closeness of the authors to the material they are discussing which succeeds in bringing the text very much to life ... a credible all-round guide both for the information science student and the concerned professional. At a time when our industry is moving so fast, we need to make the space to read and digest books such as this.’ Managing Information ’It is a very good, generally well written and interesting book ... Ultimately this is a very positive book ... it describes a period of transition and change and shows ways in which that can be embraced. This is a major book with a firm UK basis and perspective and should be critically enjoyed.’ Library Review ’This intriguing and challenging publication ... on an important initiative ... one designed to ensure that libraries can successfully navigate from the print to the digital age. Those academic

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