Stock Rationalisation in the Faculty of Arts

1
Stock Rationalisation in the Faculty of Arts

• A Change Management Process
• Janet Peden, Sub Librarian, Faculty of Arts

2
Setting the scene

• Two separate Library buildings
• No large-scale stock de-selection
• Significant number of items added annually
• Ratio of book stock to students 631

3
Need for Change

• Demand for a different Learning environment
• Users want to access material in a variety of
  formats
• Demand for access to IT Facilities
• Proposal merge two Libraries into one Learning
  Resource Centre

4
Problem

• Will two into one fit?
• Additional space earmarked for student IT
  Facilities
• Overall stock reduction of one third

5
Desired Outcomes

• Make stock more dynamic and relevant
• Safeguard current teaching and research material
• Ensure Library stock fitted into new space

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Faculty of Arts

• Large print-based collection
• Information-seeking habits of Arts scholars
• Printed Book or Journal of paramount importance
• Stock accrual by purchase or gift
• Previous attempts at rationalisation met with
  resistance

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The prevailing culture

• Identify the culture that you are working with
  AND THEN
• Work with the existing culture for best results
• Assess the possible level of resistance a Force
  Field Analysis will help

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On a personal level

• Be prepared!
• Reflect on your own personal leadership style
• Reflect on and or develop further influencing
  skills and strategies
• All will be crucial to the success of the change
  initiative

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Step One

• Define the change initiative AND
• Establish the sense of urgency crucial
• Create a Change Management Team
• ESSENTIAL a change champion in the Faculty
• Formulate the PLAN

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Step 2

• Communicate the Change Plan
• Start as soon as possible
• Partnership approach to stock de-selection
• Capitalise on short-term wins

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Positive outcomes

• New Change Champions emerged
• Positive attitude to Library in Faculty
• The Library stock was rejuvenated
• Rationalisation process is anchored in Faculty

12
The Down Side

• One third reduction not achieved
• Labour and time intensive
• Progress slow due to consultation process
• There will always be resistance

13
To the Future

• Need to rationalise again
• Maintain integrity of collection
• The way forward

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• Any questions?