Abstract
How Well Do We Adjust to Change?
Information professionals have a long history of coping with and at the same time adjusting to change. It is a profession that is required not only to stay up-to-dated with developments of any type (technological, social, economic) but also to constantly adapt with the view to developing and offering new and relevant information services. However, how well and how quick do we adjust to change? Which are the factors that raise challenges for information professionals to quickly adjust and stay relevant?
Arguing that we are living in an ever-changing environment is an understatement. However, information organizations were always considered a place in which significant changes are taking place, and thus information professionals are called to respond to these. But what exactly adjusting to change means? Firstly, it means that we are constantly in the look out of what it is happening not only in our working environment (library) or community (library science, network of libraries) but also what are the developments in other relevant (technology, networks) and none relevant scientific fields (social science).
In addition, it means that we are in the position to successfully and on time identify the changes that are currently happening in our direct and indirect environment. Most importantly, we are able to identify the ways in which these changes would possibly affect (both positive and negative) not only our information services but also our way of thinking, working and collaborating with others.
Nonetheless, the big challenge lies in adopting to change. Change of any type (place-type-way of working) entails a lot of preparation; development of guidelines and road maps of when, where and how this change will take place; a clear description of the need for change and the possible benefits and drawbacks of adopting it from strategic to operational level; direct and open discussion with the personnel that is affected both in the short and long run from these changes. It is always better to know what is coming in the foreseeable future, from speculating and assuming all the time.
Change is a strong word and factors namely time, personal views and character, organizational strategy, space, need to be considered and taken under consideration when faced with the challenge of change. These, in turn, affect greatly the strategy and goals set by the information organization, the way of delivering information services, the organizational structure and culture, the professional training of the employees, as well as the benefits for the final clienteles. We all need our own pace and space to adjust to change; the challenge is when you must stay in “change mode” for long period of time!.
Evgenia Vasilakaki
Keywords: N.A.
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