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ERIC Number: ED396757
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1996-May
Pages: 160
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0160-3582
EISSN: N/A
Library Reorganization & Restructuring. SPEC Kit 215.
Eustis, Joanne D., Comp.; Kenney, Donald J. Comp.
As the entity traditionally responsible for serving the information needs of the university, research libraries have little choice but to change dramatically in the next 25 years. This SPEC Survey on library reorganization seeks to understand how librarians have sought to meet this challenge through the redesigning of their organization. Fifty-three of the 108 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) affiliated with institutions of higher education responded to the survey. Of those, 17 indicated they had completed or are currently engaged in a library-wide reorganization. Thirty-four libraries replied that they had completed, were engaged in, or planning the reorganization of specific units. Of the 35 positively responding libraries, 71% have a formal planning process in place. Among the respondents 51% attribute their library-wide organizational changes to information technology, while 46% note declining resources as an important force influencing change. Almost half of the libraries have reallocated personnel from technical services to public services. Seventeen libraries have increased the allocation of funds to support training and staff development, and 17 libraries have reallocated resources to automation and networking units. Twenty-three libraries have lost an average of 10.5 support staff, and 20 libraries report an average decline of 5.5 professional positions. The most cited outcomes of library reorganizations have been the combining of units within the libraries; new partnerships with other university units; greater emphasis on networked information; new or expanded user services; elimination of some services; and a decreased emphasis on catalog maintenance and on the collection of print materials. Organization charts and plans are provided for: the Universities of Arizona, British Columbia, Iowa, New Mexico, and Tennessee; Northwestern University; and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. A list of selected readings is also included. (AEF)
Association of Research Libraries, Office of Management Services, 21 Dupont Circle N.W., Washington, DC 20036.
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Association of Research Libraries, Washington, DC. Office of Management Services.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A