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Librarians from all sectors in the profession know about change management. There is a plethora of literature and conference presentation devoted to advice on how libraries can better achieve change by applying one of multiple management models. While a well-thought out change management process can alleviate some of the pain points staff experience, this workshop communicates another approach that puts the focus on readiness rather than management.

This ninety-minute webinar introduces participants to change readiness, a set of practices in which staff develop a new change mindset that shifts the focus from treating every change as a static event that must be managed in order to be accepted and implemented to one in which staff accept that change is a constant, regular practice of the VUCA (volatile; uncertain; complex; ambiguous) environment is which we now exist. Attendees will explore change readiness practices such as thinking:

• Thinking like a futurist
• Cross-boundary networking
• Strategically managing ambiguity
• Uncovering patterns
• "What if" questions

This webinar employs activities to engage attendees with change readiness practices that contribute to the development of the mindset.

Outline

1. How we think about change in libraries
2. Review of change management and why a new approach is needed
3. Impact of a VUCA world
4. Change readiness: how it differs from change management
5. Change ready practices
6. Case Study: credentialing system at a university

Learning Outcomes:

• Recognize differences between change management and change readiness in order to better apply both for library management and leadership.
• Acquire strategies for becoming change ready in order to develop the change ready mindset.
• Become an asset to the library by working with colleagues to develop a culture of change readiness

Presenter: Steven J. Bell is the Associate University Librarian for Research and Instructional Services at Temple University. He writes and speaks about academic librarianship, learning technologies, library leadership, higher education, open and affordable learning, design thinking and user experience. He authored two regular columns for Library Journal Academic Newswire, "From the Bell Tower" and "Leading From the Library" from 2009 through 2019. He is co-author of the book "Academic Librarianship by Design" and editor of the book "Crucible Moments: Inspiring Library Leadership". Bell is currently an adjunct faculty member for the San Jose State University iSchool where he teaches design thinking.