We had a great turn out for our November discussion, facilitated by Anne Krakow (Library Director at Saint Joseph's University) Danianne Mizzy (noted academic library leader) about navigating significant transitions, such as university or college mergers or closures. Below are discussion questions and key takeaways from the session. We hope to see you on Dec 3rd for our next discussion!
Takeaways:
How can library directors advocate for the library's role and value when resources and priorities are being realigned?
- Clear, simple communication from library admin articulating the library's value.
- Bringing in the student voice or researchers to articulate value to campus or board leadership.
- Being able to identify what services or other things would be missing if something is stopped or taken away.
- Framing the library and what it does as larger than that one unit - this is about student support and research support.
What early signals have you noticed that made you think something bigger might be coming?
- Importance of cultivating strong allies.
The impacts of mergers at universities with medical colleges and/or hospitals?
- Important to explore the impact on journal subscripts, access to resources and packages more generally.
Have you lived through a merger, major restructuring, or large-scale reorganization - in libraries or elsewhere? What worked, what didn't, and what would you tell your past self to do differently?
- Framing such change as an opportunity, rather than only as a loss.
- Developing a sound process anchored in change management.
- Recognizing that when there's an absence of information, people fill in those blanks in a way that can be unhelpful and unproductive.
- Recognize that there's a bell curve in terms of how people respond and embrace change. There can be benefit to focusing energies on those who may be persuaded rather than those who don't appear persuadable.
Which of these pressures feel universal across library types - and which are uniquely shaped by your setting?
- Pressures include: overlapping missions, digital infrastructure costs, community expectations, physical spaces.
How do you sustain morale, trust, and a sense of shared purpose when the ground keeps shifting? What communication practices have helped you internally and externally, for your teams and for stakeholders.
- Change Management book suggestion.
- Small gift bags with silly gifts.
- Talking with colleagues at other institutions.
What do library leaders need to be successful and effective in leading their organization through this kind of change?
- Communication and relationship building with those across campus.
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Lori Birrell
Director of Special Collections and Museums
University of Delaware
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