Changing the Workplace Culture at Flinders University Library: From Pragmatism to Professional Reflection

Abstract

This paper explores how the implementation of a Research Working Group (RWG) has brought about changes in the workplace culture at Flinders University Library. The group was established as a strategy to ensure that library staff have the understanding and skills to drive change in a time of uncertainty and to ensure that library staff are equipped with the expertise to engage with the University's researchers. Its brief is to ‘develop a culture of research and professional reflection in the library's professional staff’ which it does by supporting its members to undertake research projects. The group is led by a Chair who is part of the Library's senior management team and is supported by a resource allocation of $10,000 per annum. To understand changes in the workplace culture, semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff who have undertaken a research project since the implementation of the RWG. Participation in research was measured and the interviews analysed for motivators as well as for evidence of changes that have occurred in professional practice. This paper reports on the survey findings and offers an outline of the change process as a case study for other libraries who wish to effect a similar change.