Leading change in academic libraries

Abstract

John Kotter’s model for leading change features eight steps grouped into three phases. The Warm-Up Phase includes steps one to four: (1) establishing a sense of urgency, (2) creating the guiding coalition, (3) developing a vision and strategy, and (4) The Introducing New Practices Phase comprises steps five to seven: (5) empowering broad-based action, (6) generating short-term wins, and (7) consolidating gains and producing more change. Finally, the Grounding Phase is comprised of the eighth step, anchoring new approaches in the culture. Upon reading Boff and Cardwell’s introduction, the reader will have a rudimentary knowledge of change management and Kotter’s model. Boff and Cardwell’s text is exquisitely well organized. As mentioned, there is an introduction that relates Kotter’s model. Boff and Cardwell logically divide the case study examples around the themes of Strategic Planning, Reorganization, Culture Change, New Roles, and Technological Changes. Each part has four case study chapters and an analysis chapter by Boff and Cardwell.