Ch..ch..changes

When is life not changing?  Everywhere things are changing all the time.  Some change quickly while others take a while to change.

Not all changes have a big impact but there are a few bigger changes coming my way that I suspect will have an impact - can't say if it will be good or bad but regardless there will be a need to adjust.

MPOW is currently going through an organisational restructure. Not just the Library but the whole organisation.  Staff briefings about the suggested changes will begin next week.  While what is suggested may not be the change that will happen, as staff have a chance to comment and provide feedback, it will give us an idea of what's on the horizon.

I'll suspect the Library may not be affected much but sometimes a little change which you think will only generate small waves can generate tsunami's.

Other changes coming up involve a big change to our library service with one of the member councils pulling out at the end of June.  The library service will now only have two member councils which will take a while to adjust to.  Our library members will have access to a smaller collection and because the member council borders on our council border, our staff will have some PR work to do around those members from the other council who will no longer have full library member access but will have to become reciprocal borrowers in order to access our collection and services.

There is going to be council elections in September which may result in new councillors in our council.  Which will then result in a change to the councillor who sits on the library committee.  We have been blessed in the past to have wonderfully supportive councillors on the library committee but you never know what the election will result in.

Then there is the flow on of the Destination 2036 Action Plan  Destination 2036 provides a process and a forum for local government to explore these issues and to consider and develop structures and approaches to local government in NSW that will allow the sector to meet the needs and expectations of our communities of the future.

Not to mention all the continuing technology changes which seem to be happening on a daily basis.

How we handle change differs.  I like to think that I don't mind change but am also one to say "why change something if it is working well?"  I may think it is working well but perhaps someone with another point of view may not think so.

I am one who enjoys routine and probably is not as spontaneous as I should/could be.  However, I think the next few months will be an interesting time for all involved with these changes.  As a manager it will be a test for me to bring my staff through these changes without too much conflict.

How do you deal with change?  Can you see some big changes coming up that might impact you?

Inspiring Staff

As mentioned previously, I don't mind playing with technology and new tools. I take my profession seriously so make it my responsibility to stay abreast of new technologies and tools. However, I have very rarely had the opportunity to work with or manage staff that have the same view on self professional development.

In November I was lucky enough to attend the SWITCH conference. One of the presentaters asked how do we inspire our staff to use technology in the way we inspire our users? I'd really like to hear other's ideas on this.

Our library service has recently (over the past 1-2 yrs) started offering new tools/online services to our communities. I let staff know about these new services and I ask that they all become familiar with them as we will be the first contact point for our clients. I offer training and I ask that we "on sell" these new services with every client interaction. Does it happen? Not much at all. I'm still receiving calls about clients having issues with these new services and can I help them. I feel that as a professional staff member you should be able to assist. You should be the one who is "playing" with these new services in your own time to ensure you can provide the community with the service it deserves.

Unfortunately, the same can be said about online databases. It seems no matter the amount of training provided - staff do not always refer to them to answer queries. Often I have witnessed, not only in my current POW, staff checking the catalogue for something and saying no we have no information on that sorry. And not going any further. I feel that the reason my POW doesn't get more requests for finding information is based on the lack of success in the past due to staff not feeling empowered/confident enough to go beyond the walls of the library. Has anyone else encountered this? How have you overcome it? Can it be overcome?

Training is also a bug bear of mine. We are lucky enough to have a very proactive state library who provides some excellent workshops/forums/seminars throughout the year. Do you think I can get staff eager to attend? Yes it often means a very early start to the day to catch the first plane of the day and the last plane of the day back but the networking and learning opportunity is something that makes it so worth while.

I often feel I'm in an up hill battle trying to conquer these issues. And I don't mean to spend all my blogging time whinging as those in my POW are great people but I would love some tools/advice on what others have done to combat these sorts of issues.