The Contemporary Changes in the Current Scenario : Change Management in the Libraries and Information Centres

Abstract

In today’s technological environment change has become very imperative considering the sea change in library models and advent of information technology. These days’ libraries are doing their best to deal with these changes to serve the latest need of the library patron. This paper discusses the tools and challenges of change management in the libraries to facilitate their expansion, resources management and service performance. Information services have always been under constant pressure to prove the value of their staff, services and existence to management. The key to success lies in the ability to predict, manage, and exploit change in all areas of work, with change management emerging as a key extended skill which must be added to any information professional’s repertoire. Despite the tendency for information technology, finance and marketing departments to dominate boardroom thinking, the library and information sector still has the opportunity to take control of organizational information strategies, coordinate and drive the technologies and promote library use and benefits. The paper provides useful comprehensive tools to change the traditional libraries. The W4 tool will allow library professionals to determine informally the degree to which their organizational culture is either transformational or transactional in nature.