Academic reference librarians prepare for change: an Australian

case study

Julia Leong2007

Academic reference librarians prepare for change: an Australian

case study

Julia Leong2007

Armidale ●

Typical countrysideTypical countryside

Gorge countryGorge country

Koala on campusKoala on campus

Copperhead snakeCopperhead snake

ChallengesChallenges

Debt

Competition for enrolments

Small university

Changing government policies and funding models

Changing technology

Client expectations

Unaware of threatUnaware of threat

MOTIVATIONCommunicate Reduce certainty

PARTICIPATORY MANAGEMENT

Empowered

Responsible

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

Competencies listedAssessed

Staff trainedReassessed

READY

Convinced

Determining competencies Determining competencies

Environmental scan

Literature review

Prior QUT and USQ work on reference librarian competencies

Position descriptions

QUT Liaison Librarian training module topics

Developing skillsDeveloping skills

Varied approaches to meet diverse needs

Affordable

Meet adult need for personal discovery

Meeting need for personal discoveryMeeting need for personal discovery

Individual study projects

Play with technology

OutcomesOutcomes

Improved competence

Confident with changing technology

High change tolerance

Success in competitive funding environment

National award

ConclusionConclusion

Build change readiness through good communication

Involve staff in decision making

Develop staff appropriately

Allow time

National park sceneNational park scene

Photos by Gordon Smith, used with permission