Experts agree that in our current environment of rapid and extraordinary change, ongoing training and education are becoming increasingly important to our success. Within a rapidly changing environment, staff development and continuing education are critical to organizational success. This was the date that the University Libraries embarked on the transition from a hierarchical organization to a team-based environment. As a first step, several librarians traveled to Tucson, Arizona to attend the Living the Future Conference. Librarians from the University of Arizona, the epitome of change in academic libraries, shared their experiences in moving toward a team-based environment.
Organizational change is difficult.
Change does not come naturally, nor is working as a team instinctive. The librarians who attended the Arizona conference came back convinced that training was the key to success. Training must be a top priority and begin at the top and well as pervade the entire system. The first was use of the Birkman Report questionnaire with Senior Management and team leaders. This is an individual questionnaire that provides insight into characteristics such as how one needs to be supervised, how one works in a group setting, and how one responds to and uses authority.