Change management in an academic library in the knowledge economy

Abstract

In the knowledge economy, knowledge is channelled in new ways whichbrings about changes to the structure and function of an organisation.Organisations such as academic libraries often introduce innovations indelivery of information services to clients which entail the use ofinformation and communication technology. Current growth intechnological applications is enabling academic libraries to change theway they deliver services to clients. Technological applicationscontinuously redefine how academic library collections are used. Thisarticle investigates how change in terms of technology is managed in adecentralised academic library in a higher education institution ofSouth Africa. The study was placed within a qualitative researchparadigm. A case study design presented the research providing theopportunity to analyse the perception and experience of participants andensured that real life events were investigated. Semi-structuredindividual interviews were used to collect data. The most significantfinding of this study is the emphasis on the importance of changemanagement in academic libraries and the need for effectivecommunication in order to achieve low resistance to change from academiclibrary staff.