Overview

This book describes and discusses the convergence of library and technology support in higher education. Over the past 15 years, a number of institutions have pursued merging library and technology services into a single information support organization. These mergers have taken different forms, but all seek to redefine information support in a 21st century model that promotes the interdisciplinary use of information. The coming years will see significant change affect libraries with the continuing disruption of the Internet and digitally-based services. Coupled with economic pressures, libraries and technology organizations will increasingly be forced to look closely at long-held assumptions of how their teams are organized and how work is divided and shared. Convergence of Libraries and Technology Organizations provides useful and practical guidance on converged information organizations as an effective response to change in the information profession.

Full Product Details

Author:   Christopher Barth (Luther College, USA)
Publisher:   Woodhead Publishing Ltd
Imprint:   Chandos Publishing (Oxford) Ltd
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 1.10cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.340kg
ISBN:  

9781843346166

ISBN 10:   1843346168
Pages:   194
Publication Date:   15 June 2011
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Print
Availability:   Awaiting stock  

Table of Contents

List of figures About the author Acknowledgements Chapter 1: Context for convergence: Arriving at the delta Abstract: A new economy with information as currency A glance over our shoulders: evolution of an information economy Evolution of a service economy Evolution of converged information service organizations Rocks all around The old rules don’t apply Rules of the river The sweet spot Chapter 2: Assessing possibilities for convergence: Reading the river Abstract: Why converge? Motivating factors for convergence Summary of motivations Benefits of convergence Challenges ahead The organizational context of information support Key considerations Chapter 3: Professional culture and politics: Conflict at the helm Abstract: Core values Values of library professionals Values of technology professionals Connections: common values Differentiating contexts Key considerations Chapter 4: Staffing for convergence: Crew selection Abstract: The importance of leadership The staff Watching for the silver lining Staff duties in the converged organization Staffing vacancies Human resource considerations Don’t forget the students Key considerations Chapter 5: Specialization versus generalization: Crew assignments Abstract: Polymaths Generalization and specialization Key considerations Chapter 6: Organizational design in converged organizations: Streamlining the vessel Abstract: Alignment within the institution Physical representations of convergence Virtual representations of convergence Team structures Resource allocation and application Reducing redundancy Strategic planning Marketing and the web Developing an organizational design Key considerations Chapter 7: The process of converging: Riding the river Abstract: Leadership A case for convergence Hallmarks of design: vision Hallmarks of design: collaboration Hallmarks of design: transparency Hallmarks of design: process Evolution vs. revolution On the ground: ten keys for deployment Key considerations Chapter 8: Future evolutions of information service organizations: Around the bend in the river Abstract: Print collections Data collections The research process Cyberinfrastructure The cloud Multimedia Metadata User interfaces The future is converged References and further reading Index

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Author Information

Christopher D. Barth works as the Executive Director of Library and Information Services at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, USA. He has 10 years of experience working in ‘merged’ library/technology organizations and is beginning his fourth year leading a merged library/IT team. Previously he worked as Director of Information Resources at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, USA, and as Librarian at the Anchorage Daily News in Anchorage, Alaska, USA. He has previously published a history of Kenyon College titled Kenyon Reborn.

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