University of Guelph Library
In 2006/07 the Library set out strategic directions for the next five years in the integrated plan, and in 2008 a review of the Academic Liaison Services was conducted that made significant recommendations about how the Library is organized and the way we work together. Together these documents have served as catalysts for change. That change must occur has been made even more apparent given the current economic climate. The Library has seen increasing costs for information resources, a volatile currency exchange rate and University budget reductions. Within the context of our own strategic planning, reviews of services, and the economic climate, the Library embarked on an organizational renewal process that would be as open and collaborative as possible, involving all major employee groups.
The change we are aiming for does not happen overnight, so the Library Executive, with the assistance of an organizational development specialist Meghan Kirwin of The Kirwin Group Inc., established a plan to guide the process of organizational renewal. To start the process the Library established a shared vision: to be central to the University community as a valued facilitator, partner and catalyst for learning, research and knowledge-creation on campus. It also identified eight core values: learning, service, intellectual freedom, stewardship, access, innovation, communication and integrity.
In order to realize our vision the University of Guelph Library aims to build an organizational culture and team-based structure that allows us to live our values to their fullest and aligns our human resources with our strategic priorities. We want to foster a culture that encourages innovation, agility, collaboration, and exceptional service to our community and a team-based structure will help us develop a shared accountability.
Figure 1: Conceptual Model of a Team-Based Library
Full Organizational Renewal document (PDF – 689kb)