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Sustainable growth with sustainable resources: Using change management, participative consultation, and grassroots planning for a new future

Charlene Sorensen (University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada)
Rachel Sarjeant-Jenkins (University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada)

Library Management

ISSN: 0143-5124

Article publication date: 14 March 2016

1898

Abstract

Purpose

Libraries are situated in an ever-changing research, teaching, learning, and scholarly communications environment. Faculty and students have new and different expectations that are compelling libraries to expand their offerings. At the same time, their broader institutions are also facing changing times and academic libraries are being asked to demonstrate value and justify the use of limited and high-demand resources. In order to address the resulting challenge, the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) Library undertook a process to deliver relevant and responsive (and, therefore, reflective and adaptable) library services while working within its current librarian complement. Significant changes were necessary for this to be successful: the librarians would need to undertake new responsibilities, learn new skills, and engage with learners and researchers in new ways. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The U of S Library chose to meet this challenge through a multi-part approach comprised of regular participative consultations with librarians and a grassroots-based planning process underpinned by change management methodology.

Findings

This approach resulted in widespread employee engagement, from initially clarifying the necessary change and throughout the change implementation. This led to a sense of ownership, responsibility, and accountability.

Originality/value

Change is difficult and often met with resistance. The U of S Library presents a case of successfully engaging library employees throughout a change process, demonstrating the importance of bringing together participative consultation, grassroots planning, and change management as a combined change implementation approach.

Keywords

Citation

Sorensen, C. and Sarjeant-Jenkins, R. (2016), "Sustainable growth with sustainable resources: Using change management, participative consultation, and grassroots planning for a new future", Library Management, Vol. 37 No. 3, pp. 114-124. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-04-2016-0022

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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