Change Management in the Academic Library

Author(s):  
Oyeronke Adebayo ◽  
Michael Opeoluwa Fagbohun ◽  
Ugwunwa Chinyere Esse ◽  
Nwanne Mary Nwokeoma

The introduction of ICT has no doubt changed and redefined the way and manner in which library operations are carried out. In this chapter, the phenomenon of change management was discussed and Unfreeze-Change-Refreeze model was adopted. The chapter also delved into the management of change in academic libraries, types of Digital library collections, access mode to digital collections, the need for transition from print to digital collections, the need to reposition library tools, resources and expertise, need for accessibility of collections by user, the need and benefits for preservation of digital resources, health and safety policies and prospect of change management. Despite the great achievements recorded in academic libraries due to change in operations, there is still another side to the coin. Issues such as techno stress which is a technology related health problem came to the fore. Other challenges such as increase in expenditure, staffing issues, etc. also surfaced.

2018 ◽  
pp. 19-40
Author(s):  
Oyeronke Adebayo ◽  
Michael Opeoluwa Fagbohun ◽  
Ugwunwa Chinyere Esse ◽  
Nwanne Mary Nwokeoma

The introduction of ICT has no doubt changed and redefined the way and manner in which library operations are carried out. In this chapter, the phenomenon of change management was discussed and Unfreeze-Change-Refreeze model was adopted. The chapter also delved into the management of change in academic libraries, types of Digital library collections, access mode to digital collections, the need for transition from print to digital collections, the need to reposition library tools, resources and expertise, need for accessibility of collections by user, the need and benefits for preservation of digital resources, health and safety policies and prospect of change management. Despite the great achievements recorded in academic libraries due to change in operations, there is still another side to the coin. Issues such as techno stress which is a technology related health problem came to the fore. Other challenges such as increase in expenditure, staffing issues, etc. also surfaced.


2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nesba Yaa Anima Adzobu

Purpose – Although user needs assessment is an intrinsic element of service quality delivery in digital libraries (DLs), not much has been written on this topic in the context of African universities. This is understandable as academic digital libraries in Africa are rather nascent. Even so, the most frequently-used needs assessment methods do not directly involve the users. This study aims to assess priority setting by academic library administrators and the needs of patrons of digital collections of a public university library in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – Analysis of official university documents and interviews with digital library patrons at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in Ghana were carried out between September, 2011 and January, 2012. Five research questions were asked: what are the current conditions of the UCC digital library project, the user communities and their needs, what are the priorities set by the university administrators and library leaders at the UCC and the state of technological readiness in place and what are needed by the UCCDL. Also, what is the extent of collaboration by interested parties in the UCCDL? Findings – Three general digital library user communities were identified, that is, UCCDL staff- this community was composed of experts in both digital library systems and content, characterized as heavy users of the existing systems, as knowledgeable about articulated (formalized) user needs, and able to devote short (usually less than two hours) amounts of time to individual's needs. Next, are scholars and other visitors to the UCCDL – this community was characterized as having high levels of domain expertise and knowledge of library systems. They are also able to devote large but specific amounts of time (days or weeks) to their individual information needs. Visitors/Prospective users- this community was characterized as having varied levels of domain expertise and low levels of library systems knowledge. They are able to devote only short periods of time to their information needs or explorations. These user communities are influenced by diverse preferences, experiences, and knowledge structures. Practical implications – Academic libraries are increasingly advocating local user studies as a way to provide the digital library services that are relevant to the culture and user population of the academic institution. Replicating digital library user studies at the local level can provide information for improving existing services or developing new ones. Originality/value – In African public universities, there is little earlier research on digital library user needs assessments or DL priority-setting by academic library administrators.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon E. Farb

Stewardship has always figured predominantly in the mission of libraries. This paper discusses major findings and implications of a study of licensing in U.S. academic libraries. The data suggests that not all libraries are accepting their heritage role - that is, they are not planning for long-term preservation and access for their growing licensed digital collections and resources. Instead they rely increasingly on third parties to perform this fundamental function. This shift may have far-reaching implications for long-term preservation and access to the world's knowledge and cultural and historical record.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-100
Author(s):  
Wendy Walker ◽  
Teressa Keenan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe methods for restructuring workflows and efficiently using staff members and volunteers to continue work on multiple, simultaneous digital collections as budgets and resources decline. Design/methodology/approach This paper describes one library’s varied approaches to several digital collections supported by literature or volunteers in libraries. Findings In the face of continually declining resources and new, time-sensitive priorities and compliance responsibilities, librarians can continue to maintain digital collections by modifying workflows, using the services of volunteers and communicating strategically. Practical implications This paper is relevant to librarians, archivists and others who are looking for ways to justify and capitalize on the use of unconventional personnel in digital collections programs. Originality/value This paper presents a case of the successful use of volunteers to accomplish digital collections-related tasks in an academic library and provides a communication-based strategy for addressing some of the challenges related to volunteers in academic libraries.


2019 ◽  
pp. 15-26
Author(s):  
Priyanki Vyas ◽  
Kshama Parikh

The management of knowledge is a powerful tool for any competitive organization. The essence of the organisation is knowledge. In the area of services and services, KM increases productivity, efficiency and effectiveness. Explicit and implicit in nature is knowledge. This paper deals with both the explosion of knowledge or generation, processes and management of knowledge for effective use by end users. With the introduction of ICT, knowledge has gained momentum, changing its direction and dimensions immediately. Since Library is the heart of any institution, Libraries have moved from depositories and warehouses to information centres through the advent of ICT and digital Library technologies. The main focus of this study is on researching the challenges faced by academic Libraries in the management of knowledge.


Author(s):  
Michelle M. Wu

Academic libraries face numerous stressors as they seek to meet the needs of their users through technological advances while adhering to copyright laws. This paper seeks to explore one specific proposal to balance these interests, the impact of recent decisions on its viability, and the copyright challenges that remain after these decisions


Author(s):  
Ali Shiri

The paper reports on a study of the ways in which Canadian digital library collections make use of knowledge organization systems to support users’ information search behaviour. The study identified 33 digital collections which have employed some type of knowledge organization system in their search interfaces.Cet article présente les résultats d’une étude sur la manière dont les systèmes d’organisation des connaissances sont utilisés par les collections des bibliothèques numériques canadiennes, afin d’assister le comportement de recherche informationnelle des utilisateurs. Cette étude a identifiée 33 collections numériques qui ont employé certains types de systèmes d’organisation des connaissances dans leurs interfaces de recherche. 


Author(s):  
Raysh Thomas

Rapid advances in technological innovations, affordable high bandwidth networks, explosive growth of web resources,sophisticated search engines, ever growing digital resources and changing information seeking behavior of users are greatly transforming the future of academic libraries. The paper outlines the challenges which are very dominant and posing threat for the existence of academic libraries and suitable strategies requires to be made by the libraries and librarians to meet the expectations and information need of their existing and potential clienteles.


IFLA Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 034003522110271
Author(s):  
Theresa L Adu ◽  
Thomas B van der Walt

This study investigated the copyright issues surrounding the management of e-resources in academic libraries in Ghana. Forty-seven library staff and head librarians from four academic libraries were engaged using questionnaires and qualitative interviews in a sequential mixed-methods approach to generate data for this study. The findings indicate that in all four institutions copyright issues arose with the provision of distance learning, online courses and e-reserves services. All the respondents stated that they or their colleagues had had faculty ask questions on copyright issues. However, the professional librarians indicated that the library was not consulted and the instructors for online courses or distance education programmes did not cooperate with librarians; rather, the department posting the materials made the decisions on copyright regarding the usage of digital resources for distance learning, online courses or e-reserves. This does not augur well for the management of copyright of e-resources in academic libraries in Ghana.


2015 ◽  
Vol 116 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 358-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Michele Moorefield-Lang

Abstract – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the user agreements of makerspaces in public and academic libraries. User agreements, also known as maker agreements, user forms and liability forms, can be very important documents between library patrons, staff and faculty. User agreements are similar to the earlier creation of acceptable use policies for technology use in libraries. The author of this study will delve into the user agreements created for public and academic libraries across the USA. Design/methodology/approach – The researcher used content analysis to investigate 24 different user agreements written for public and academic library makerspaces. NVivo qualitative data analysis software was integrated into this research to aid in the breakdown of commonalities across terms, themes and purpose within the user agreements. Findings – Although makerspaces are a very exciting topic in the field of library science at this time, the implementation of a maker learning space is still new to many libraries. Creating a user agreement for a makerspace is newer still. Most user agreements in this study were six months to a year old. Some consistencies found across makerspace user agreements include liability waivers, permissions for minors, safety, copyright and technology replacement costs. Originality/value – At this time, most publications on makerspaces are held in the realm of popular publications (blogs, magazines, zines, etc.). The body of peer-reviewed and scholarly research on makerspaces is growing. Makerspace user agreements are new to this growing field of interest, and a content analysis of these documents will pave the way for the writing of future forms.


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