MANAGING CHANGE: PUBLIC LIBRARIES GET TOOLKIT TO EXPLOIT ONLINE
OPPORTUNITIES
People's Network Change Management Toolkit helps public libraries develop
new services for the information age
Public libraries are changing - fast. New broadband online facilities,
installed in libraries under the People's Network project, can allow them
to develop online content and information services for their communities
undreamed of only a few years ago. But delivering new services means more
than just wiring up the libraries and putting in the computers. It also
means helping people change the way they work, deciding priorities for
action, and winning over hearts and minds.
That's why Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries,
CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and
the Networked Services Policy Task Group have developed the People's
Network Change Management Toolkit.
Developed in consultation with over 30 library authorities, the toolkit
will help libraries grapple with the challenges they face, as they develop
programmes using the People's Network to deliver new online services.
Funding for the toolkit has come from the New Opportunities Fund, and it
has been developed by the leading consultancy Information Management
Associates.
"There is no single checklist, blueprint or strategy that will steer all
libraries through this complex change process because solutions depend on
local context," said Susi Woodhouse, Senior Network Adviser at Resource,
speaking at the launch of the toolkit at the 2003 Umbrella conference in
Manchester. "This kit will provide ideas, insights, and lines of thought;
tools to help work through different approaches and to apply key principles
to particular circumstances. It can be used to support public libraries as
they work systematically through the elements in the process of change."
The toolkit covers:
The nature of change and what drives it.
The main elements in successful change management.
Priority setting when managing change.
Assessing your organisation and its ability to cope with change.
Key factors that support or hinder change.
How change affects individuals and how to manage that process.
"Flexibility is the watchword of this versatile toolkit" said Judith
Howells, Assistant Professional Adviser at CILIP "It can be used across a
whole library authority, within one specific library or with a specific
grade of staff. The tools are easy to access and allow managers to build a
picture of their own situation and the best approach to change in that
context." Although designed for use with the People's Network, it is
nevertheless flexible enough to be relevant to any process of change.
It is available on the People's Network website at
www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk/future/toolkit/changeintro.asp
and accessible via the CILIP website at
www.cilip.org.uk/managingchange
Contacts
Judith Howells
Assistant Professional Adviser,
CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
Tel 020 7255 0644
Email: [log in to unmask]
Susi Woodhouse
Senior Network Adviser,
Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries
Tel: 01273 721083
Email: [log in to unmask]
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