Change Management for Library Technologists

Courtney McAllister is currently the electronic resources librarian at Yale University’s Lillian Goldman Law Library, where she oversees the lifecycle of e-resources and systems. In her previous positions at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina she was heavily involved with many change processes, from the launch of a makerspace to a building renovation project and subsequent library-wide reorganization of departments and services. McAllister holds a B.A. from the University of Mary Washington, an M.A. from the University of Warwick, and an M.L.I.S. from the University of South Carolina: Columbia. She has researched and presented on emerging technologies, change management, assessment culture, and systems thinking. She is the Associate Editor of The Serials Librarian.

• Foreword by A. Scarlet Galvan AcknowledgementsPrefaceIntroduction: Why Manage Change?1.The Change Toolkit: Change Management, Technology, and Leadership2.Charting the Course: Assessment and Change Action3.The Hidden Side of Technology Change: Emotion and Engagement4.Socializing Technology Change: Communication and Acceptance5.Planning for the Future: Iterative Adaptation and Organizational LearningAppendices1.Recommended Readings and Resources for Change Management2.Running Successful Pilots3.Communication Tips and TricksGlossaryContributorsIndex

It is no surprise that technology changes pose challenges to libraries. However, it may not always be the technical details that cause the most trouble. The psychological and sociocultural shifts that technology adoption require may need just as much, if not more, consideration. This LITA guide will help library administrators understand technology change management on the human level. McAllister (electronic resources librarian at Yale's Lillian Goldman Law Library) summarizes relevant theories and models of change while maintaining a focus on helping practitioners apply the principles in a real-world setting. She situates her recommendations in the context of building an organization capable of continual learning, so that readers will learn to recognize and plan for the emotional implications of one-time technology changes and will also be reminded that iterative adaptation to those changes maybe be required in the long term. In addition to her well-written text, McAllister offers numerous brief case studies and lessons learned by librarians who have managed a technology change at their own institutions. Although intended for working librarians, the book should also prove useful to IT managers and students of library science, business management, human resources, and organizational learning.Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students and professionals.