Rapid transformation of two libraries using Kotter’s Eight Steps of Change

Authors

  • Terrie R. Wheeler Director, Samuel J. Wood Library and C.V. Starr Biomedical Information Center, and Affiliated Faculty, Department of Healthcare Policy & Research, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
  • Kristi L. Holmes PhD, Director, Galter Health Sciences Library; Director, Evaluation, Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute; and Associate Professor, Preventive Medicine, Division of Health and Biomedical Informatics; Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8420-5254

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2017.97

Keywords:

Leadership, Change Management, Library Service Innovation, Future of Libraries, Teambuilding, Strategic Planning

Abstract

Background: Two new directors were each charged by their institutions to catalyze transformational change in their libraries and to develop dynamic and evolving information ecosystems ready for the information challenges of the future. The directors approached this transformational change using a strategic, forward-looking approach.

Results: This paper presents examples of actions that served as catalysts for change at the two libraries using Kotter’s Eight Steps of Change as a framework. Small and large changes are critical for successfully transforming library services, resources, and personnel.

Conclusions: Libraries are faced with incredible pressure to adapt to meet emerging and intensifying information needs on today’s academic medical campuses. These pressures offer an opportunity for libraries to accelerate their evolution at the micro and macro levels. This commentary reports the expansion of new services and areas of support, enhancement of professional visibility of the libraries on their campuses, and overall, a more positive and productive environment at the respective institutions.

Author Biographies

Terrie R. Wheeler, Director, Samuel J. Wood Library and C.V. Starr Biomedical Information Center, and Affiliated Faculty, Department of Healthcare Policy & Research, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY

Terrie R. Wheeler is the Director of the Samuel J. Wood Library and C.V. Starr Biomedical Information Center and affiliated faculty in the Department of Healthcare Policy & Research at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Kristi L. Holmes, PhD, Director, Galter Health Sciences Library; Director, Evaluation, Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute; and Associate Professor, Preventive Medicine, Division of Health and Biomedical Informatics; Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL

Kristi Holmes, PhD, is the Director of Galter Health Sciences Library, Director of Evaluation for Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, and associate professor of Preventive Medicine in the Division of Health and Biomedical Informatics at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

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Published

2017-07-07

Issue

Vol. 105 No. 3 (2017): July 2017

Section

Commentary