Refocusing Academic Libraries Through Learning and Discourse: The Idea of a Library

Academic libraries are changing in the face of information technologies, economic pressures and globally disruptive events such as the current pandemic. Organizational Transformation in Academic Libraries argues for a radical vision of library transformation, offering practical solutions for transforming organizational and workflow structures for the future. The title analyzes existing organizational structures and proposes new ones that can be adapted to individual libraries. It discusses the challenges posed by virtual learning environments, digital initiatives and resources, changes to cataloging standards and succession planning, as well as changes brought about by the current pandemic. It aims to help library leaders find new models of organization that make the best use of limited resources.

Organizational Transformation in Academic Libraries helps inform discussions taking place in academic libraries about organizational patterns and divisions of labor. These discussions are now more critical than ever, because academic libraries are facing a time of disruption. This title will give librarians leverage to think outside traditional bureaucratic structures and re-think how libraries serve their patrons. The book examines existing structures and proposes new ones. Specifically, the book proposes organizational models and lays out a process for planning organizational transformation and implementing a new organization. Seven chapters offer a radical vision of library transformation, proposing a collaborative process for changing academic libraries into organizations that are fit for the second quarter of the twenty-first century and beyond. This title will be invaluable to librarians looking for solutions to library organizational and workflow structures.