F. Mason and Associates Dallas, TX Reproduction Rights Reserved Dealing with Change in the Information Age Southwestern Association of Law Libraries 47

F. Mason and Associates Dallas, TX Reproduction Rights Reserved

Dealing with Change in the Information Age

Southwestern Association of Law Libraries

47th Annual Meeting

Little Rock, Arkansas

April 2, 2005

Florence “Foxie” Mason Dallas, Texas

[email protected]


ChangeCan Overwhelm

Us IfWe Do Not Manage It


The “library” is being transformed

• Virtual

• Storage-based to heavily transactional

• Multi media

• Delivery to a variety of platforms which are constantly changing


Our basic resource -- information is also being transformed

commodification of information

first copy costs

intellectual property rights

digital rights management


Defining Change

• Change is a process

• Change is accomplished by individuals

• Change is a highly personal experience

• Change involves developmental growth

• Change facilitation should focus on individuals, interactions and systems


Change Process

Change takes place as a process through certain channels and involves social roles of members

The change decision process involves:– A decision maker– Obtaining information about the need for change– Promoting a positive attitude toward the change– Making a decision to adopt or reject– Implementing the idea– Confirming the decision


Planned Change Not Just Change

• Diffusion of new technology is the not same as the adoption of new technology.

• Adoption is about planned change

• Planned changes is change which proceeds in a direction that is planned and desired.


Key Elements of a Systems Model of Change

Technology

People

Culture

DesignStrategy

Task


The Nature of Technology Change

• Change is sudden• Change is ongoing

– Takes place as technology is adopted


Change Process

Steps

KnowledgeStage

ImplementationStage

PersuasionStage

Decision Stage

Confirmation Stage


Practices of Exemplary Leadership

• Challenge the Process

• Inspire a Shared Vision

• Enable Others to Act

Copyright 2002 by James M.Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner. All rights reserved.


Leadership Skill Challenge the Process

• Search for opportunities

• Experiment and take risk


Problem Interpretation Issues

• Avoiding disconfirming evidence

• Selective perception– Seeing what you expect to see

Law of small numbers

Results from small samples


Problem Interpretation Issues

• The tendency to avoid risk

• Problem framing– Whether the situation is viewed

positively or negatively

• Availability bias– The tendency to overestimate the occurrence of

an event


Scanning the FutureWhat to Look For

Perception shaping events

Demographic and social trends

Science and technology

Filters and contacts

Sources of surprise


Perception Shaping Eventsand Trends

Global warmingEnvironmental economicsThe Global teenagerWhere to look

Major newspaper coverageOpinion polls


Social and Demographic TrendsAgeDiversity

Where to lookMajor newspaper coverageOpinion pollsCensus and demographic sitesBeloit College “Mindset” List


Beloit College “Mindset List”

• Most 2007 college graduates were born in 1985

• Paul Newman has always made salad dressing.

• They never heard Howard Cosell call a game on ABC.

• Garrison Keillor has always been live on public radio and Lawrence Welk has always been dead on public television.

• They have never been able to find the “return” key.

• Banana Republic has always been a store, not a puppet government in Latin America.

• www. Beloit.edu


What to Look For Science and Technology

Scientific innovation drives the future

The time period between invention and market product is what to watch

Standards and agreement on standards are important


Who To Look ForFilters and Contacts

Individuals outside of your field

Popular culture

Experts

Unconventional thinkers


Where to Look

Conferences-Wurman TED Conference

Research labs - MIT Media Lab

Trend spotters – Faith Popcorn


Sources of Surprises

Read outside your area

Consult world music and culture

Travel


What to Read

New York Times – Science SectionEconomic scene, E-Commerce Circuits

Technology ReviewAirline MagazinesScience NewsMIT - Sloan Technology seriesMIT’s Technology Review


Leadership SkillInspire a Shared Vision

• Envision an uplifting future

• Foster collaboration


Individual Resistance to Change

• Selective attention and retention

• Habit

• Security

• Dependence

• Economic issues

• Fear of the unknown


Sources of Organizational Resistance to Change

• Threats to power and influence

• Interorganizational agreements

• Organizational structure

• Fixed investments

• Resource limitations


Leadership Skill Enabling Others To Act

• Foster Collaboration

• Strengthen People• Copyright 1997 by James M.Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner. All rights reserved.


Strengthen and Empower People

Provide information

Provide tools

Provide training


Improve Work Practices

Eliminate unproductive uses of time

Process data more efficiently and effectively

Eliminate unnecessary paper


Structural Change Strategies

• Decentralize– Provide local

autonomy

• Modify work flow– Design work flow

with quality circles, etc.


Measure Value

• “Output” value = the reported use and cost of library services

• Dollar value = the amount library users are willing to pay for services

• “Expected” value = the worth of the information services to users


What do we measure?

• Impact on customers

• Reliability

• Responsiveness

• Reach

• Accuracy


How do we measure?

• Focus Groups

• Surveys

• Observation

• FAQ’s

• Best practices


Dollar Value Questions

• If X organization did not have a library –

• What would you do to get the information?

• How much would it cost you in time?

• How much would it cost you in money


Creating Transformation

• Establish a sense of urgency• Form a guiding coalition with power• Create a vision• Communicate the vision• Empower others to act on the vision• Plan short term wins• Consolidate improvements and produce more

change• Institutionalize new approaches


Ride thatChange

Wave


Some Sources

• Block, Peter. The Empowered Manager: Positive Political Skills at Work. Jossey-Bass. 1987.

• Bridges, William. Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change. Addison Wesley 1991..

• Kouzes, James and Barry Posner. The Leadership Challenge. 3rd ed. Jossey-Bass, 2002.

• Schwartz, Peter. Art of the Long View. Doubleday, 1991

• Schwarz, Roger. The Skilled Facilitator. Jossey-Bass, 2002

Documents

F. Mason and Associates Dallas, TX Reproduction Rights Reserved Dealing with Change in the Information Age Southwestern Association of Law Libraries 47