Using a Community of Practice Approach to Transform: How an Academic Library Collections Unit Reorganized to Meet Growing Demands for E-Resources and Services During a Time of Institutional Change

Abstract

In recent years, technical services operations and collection management at the Library was operating with flat budgets, a staff organization in a state of transition, ineffective workplace communication, and a progressive loss of institutional knowledge and skill sets. During the same time, the university was characterized by a fast‐ developing dynamic research and learning environment. New research endeavors and academic programs were incorporating a variety of electronic resources in their activities. In response, library administrators implemented a strategy of organizing technical services operations into a community of practice with three key elements. The three elements included redefining technical staff organization, enhancing collaboration and communication, and building new work areas. This paper illustrates how the technical services operations at USF was remodeled by modifying staff organization and workspaces into collaborative teams. The team approach has focused skill sets on multiformat collection problem solving and enhanced service delivery to library patrons. The reorganization has transformed a department previously centered on processing print publications to a department focused on managing diverse activities including evidence‐ based acquisitions programs in both e‐ book and streaming formats as well as diverse e‐ journal and database subscriptions. The new Collections & Discovery Unit has a shared mission and vision. The unit staff members have built a knowledge base of diverse information and solutions to meet the challenges of a fast‐ changing academic landscape.