Achieving Cultural Change in Networked Libraries

Bruce J Reid is Senior Lecturer in the School of Information Studies at the University of Central England in Birmingham, UK and Course Director of the Research Entry Masters in Information and Library Management. For three years he was Academic Advisor to TAPin, one of the Electronic Libraries projects on training and awareness in networks. His prior, practitioner, career was in university libraries in Britain and Australia. He is past Chair of the West Midlands Online User Group, former member of the SCONUL (Standing Committee of National and University Libraries) Advisory Committee on Information Services and has taught numerous short courses on online information retrieval. He has published widely, mainly on service aspects of academic information. William Foster is Head of Teaching, Learning and Quality in the School of Information Studies at the University of Central England in Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK. Academic Advisor to TAPin. He has previous experience of implementing library management systems and OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue) design, and currently teaches in the areas of information retrieval, technical services and Web design.

• Contents: Introduction, Bruce Reid; Professionalism and the cultural legacy, Bruce Reid; Organizational models for managing academic information, Bruce Reid; Developments in technical services: cultural change and organizational management, William Foster; The Electronic Libraries Programme: a vehicle for academic cultural change, William Foster; Convergence: a review of the literature, Alison Sutton; Technical convergence and the response of the academic institution, Alison Sutton; The change agent, Matt Holland; Identifying and working with stakeholder perspectives, Rob Lloyd-Owen; Organizational culture: assessment, audit and change, Bruce Reid and Helen Williams; The special library environment, Sharon Penfold; The TAPin model, Kay Flatten; The impact of the TAPin project on LIS staff, Helen Williams and Bruce Reid; Learning organization theory in the networked environment, Linda Newall; Out of our past: understanding our communication environment, Matt Holland; Change, research approaches and the future, Bruce Reid, William Foster and Matt Holland; Glossary; Index.

’Very readable text ... The text of this book is high on the readability scale and well supported by an index, glossary and lists of contents, tables and figures. Students and researchers will find the comprehensive list of references accompanying each chapter an invaluable resource for further study. These references are evidence of the thorough research underpinning which characterises this volume.’ Program ’The editors should be congratulated for putting together such a thought-provoking range of perspectives. Throughout, emphasis is placed on the practicalities of managing and dealing with change but the theories that underpin organisational culture are never far away. Anyone who is seeking a deeper understanding of cultural change in academic libraries or who is (about to be) involved in a major restructuring exercise will gain helpful advice in this impressive volume.’ Library Association Record ’All in all, there is likely to be something of value in the book for anyone interested in the organisational impact of electronic information services.’ UKOLUG Newsletter ’It is probably the closeness of the authors to the material they are discussing which succeeds in bringing the text very much to life ... a credible all-round guide both for the information science student and the concerned professional. At a time when our industry is moving so fast, we need to make the space to read and digest books such as this.’ Managing Information ’It is a very good, generally well written and interesting book ... Ultimately this is a very positive book ... it describes a period of transition and change and shows ways in which that can be embraced. This is a major book with a firm UK basis and perspective and should be critically enjoyed.’ Library Review ’This intriguing and challenging publication ... on an important initiative ... one designed to ensure that libraries can successfully navigate from the print to the digital age. Those academic