Navigating Organizational Change Through Teamwork

Purpose: In 2020, our university library system started a reorganization process that impacted many aspects of our health science library. This poster will detail the opportunities and challenges associated with the reorganization. We will give an outline of the steps in the reorganization and the culminating changes to the services and programs offered by the health science library.

Brief Description: The process started with the closure and merger of an agriculture branch library into the health science library. Following the absorption of an additional library, several changes to personnel and job duties ensued. In 2021, the InterLibrary Loan departments from the main campus library and the health science library merged into one department and removed the separate ILLiad account for the medical center library. In 2022, the campus wide liaison librarian structure was revamped to include the heath science librarians. Liaison core competences and best practices were developed over a period of ten months. The new liaison structure includes a team-based approach.

Outcome: The word reorganization can lead to feelings of uncertainty and anticipation. This was certainly the experience in our library system. We overcame these challenges by working as a team and supporting one another through the transitions.