The advent of globally networked information is a historic change. Educational, commercial and industrial institutions depend on its effective exploitation for their success, but cultural and human factors are the biggest obstacles. This book looks at the roots of these problems and how they may be overcome, through understanding recent developments in technical services, the difference between service and technical orientation, organizational culture, the role of subject expertise and the cultural heritage of the information profession. The book provides guidance and outlines best practice in: managing converging technologies; supporting change with organizational models; using cultural audits; the role of focus groups in implementing change; characterizing a learning organization; succeeding as a change agent, and managing change through technical services. Several chapters discuss the Electronic Libraries programme and the TAPin (Training and Awareness Programme in networks) model as examples of how cultural change takes place, particularly in the academic environment; one chapter concentrates exclusively on the characteristics of special libraries. This illuminating insight into the evolution of information cultures and how they do or don’t adapt to networked services will help information and library managers to achieve change with deeper understanding, and will provide useful advice for senior managers restructuring IT and information departments. The book is core reading for students of Information Studies.

Here, the authors' unique focus is on the key issues of networked learning. These include: policy issues, the costs of networked learning, staff development issues, and the student experience. With contributions from authors based in Europe and the US and Australia, it offers a global perspective which is designed to inform professional practice and its administration. It will be essential reading for practitioners and researchers in higher education and learning technology and will be of interest to policy-makers and managers in HE academic administration. It will also be relevant to learning technologists, support staff, as well as students and researchers in education and social science.

The university subject librarians' role is at the centre of new models of teaching and learning, yet further debate and published contributions are still needed to shape its future direction. Subject Librarians: Engaging with the Learning and Teaching Environment assesses trends and challenges in current practice, and aims to encourage renewed thinking and improved approaches. Its editors and authors include experienced practitioners and academics. At a time of great change and increasing challenges in higher education this book offers directors of academic services, library managers, librarians and lecturers a chance to reflect on the key issues and consider the needs of the learning community. Subject Librarians: Engaging with the Learning and Teaching Environment also provides a perspective on current practice and a reference source for students of Information Management and Information Studies.

"This case book presents many real-life examples and experiences of those involved in database research and database technology applications and management"--Provided by publisher.

The changing environment in higher education requires different approaches to be taken to the provision of professional support services. This may result in the development of outsourced shared services, the convergence of many different student-facing services or the development of more active collaborative networks. This collection of essays considers the changing context and broad principles affecting the ways in which we need to manage and provide services and offers case studies of changes that have already taken place. This book recognizes and uncovers the innovations that leaders and practitioners are implementing to transform and develop the provision of sustainable and creative support services. Such innovations are resulting in diverse models of service delivery and the development of more active collaborative networks and commercial partnerships. The essays are drawn from a broad spectrum of professionals working inside and outside library and information services as well as those responsible for leading multiply converged or joint service teams. Key topics include: The changing higher education context and how to build service success in uncertain times Connecting with the student perspective Working with professional associations Culture, values and change: observations from three consortia in Canada Managing complex change collaboratively and creatively Leaders and influencing skills of the future The role of technology in enabling collaboration and the role of shared data in extending the library?s value Space: changing the boundaries and the communal nature of the academic library Collaborative service provision through super-convergence Joint use libraries and transformational change. Readership: Library leaders and practitioners and students of LIS.|The changing environment in higher education requires different approaches to be taken to the provision of professional support services. This may result in the development of outsourced shared services, the convergence of many different student-facing services or the development of more active collaborative networks. This collection of essays considers the changing context and broad principles affecting the ways in which we need to manage and provide services and offers case studies of changes that have already taken place. This book recognizes and uncovers the innovations that leaders and practitioners are implementing to transform and develop the provision of sustainable and creative support services. Such innovations are resulting in diverse models of service delivery and the development of more active collaborative networks and commercial partnerships. The essays are drawn from a broad spectrum of professionals working inside and outside library and information services as well as those responsible for leading multiply converged or joint service teams. Key topics include: • The changing higher education context and how to build service success in uncertain times • Connecting with the student perspective • Working with professional associations • Culture, values and change: observations from three consortia in Canada • Managing complex change collaboratively and creatively • Leaders and influencing skills of the future • The role of technology in enabling collaboration and the role of shared data in extending the library’s value • Space: changing the boundaries and the communal nature of the academic library • Collaborative service provision through super-convergence • Joint use libraries and transformational change. Readership: Library leaders and practitioners and students of LIS.

University libraries around the world have embraced the possibilities of the digital learning environment, facilitating its use and proactively seeking to develop the provision of electronic resources and services. The digital environment offers opportunities and challenges for librarians in all aspects of their work - in information literacy, virtual reference, institutional repositories, e-learning, managing digital resources and social media. The authors in this timely book are leading experts in the field of library and information management, and are at the forefront of change in their respective institutions. University Libraries and Digital Learning Environments will be invaluable for all those involved in managing libraries or learning services, whether acquiring electronic resources or developing and delivering services in digital environments.

Organizations are the business world’s central actors, employing multiple people who pursue collective goals while linked to an external environment. This volume is the first of two books dedicated to defining current theories of organizations and their practices. The text is filled with contributions by alumni of the ESB Business School at Reutlingen University. Part I discusses contemporary organizational forms and properties, including team aspects. Part II provides a detailed overview of key themes in modern leadership and coaching, as well as organizational intervention.