Pe Sidorko

Transforming library and higher education support services: can change models help?

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to analyse an organisational change process that sought to integrate library and other educational support services in an Australian university.Design/methodology/approach – The article assesses the organisational change processes using John Kotters eight step approach as outlined in his book Leading Change.Findings – While the change processes enjoyed varying degrees of success, it is revealed that several of the techniques recommended by Kotter in his eight steps were adopted, but that the process did not fully utilise the entire eight step process. Questions surrounding the suitability of organisational change models are also raised.Research limitations/implications – The successful outcomes from the change processes owe credit to Kotters model for organisational change. While models for change may have certain limitations, they are still revealed as useful in the hands of a skilful leader.Practical implications – Kotters eight step model is reviewed in the c...

Refocusing for the future: meeting user expectations in a digital age

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the changes adopted in a major Asian academic library aimed at making the library more responsive to evolving and growing client needs, and to positioning the library as a key player on campus in terms of teaching and learning support.Design/methodology/approach – Following a period of organizational restructuring, the library embarked on a series of client focused services specifically aimed at enhancing its role in teaching and learning support.Findings – The article draws on a number of previously existing and new services introduced by the library, and demonstrates growth in their usage. Further evidence of success is highlighted through three consecutive biannual user survey results which demonstrate an increasing responsiveness to user expectations.Research limitations/implications – While many of the new services have been well received, the findings require further examination to ensure that the services continue to create value for the organizati...

Virtually there, almost: educational and informational possibilities in virtual worlds

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to analyze the educational and more specifically, the library and information opportunities afforded through virtual worlds such as Second Life.Design/methodology/approach – The article provides an analysis of virtual world opportunities through a review of relevant literature as well as actual applications of virtual world platforms.Findings – Virtual worlds have the potential to provide a rich learning and information environment. Despite what many see as limitations, virtual worlds can enhance the learning experience if problematic issues are addressed and if expectations are realistic. For libraries, a unique set of limitations are identified.Research limitations/implications – The limited availability of library presences in virtual worlds prohibits a full scale analysis of the success or otherwise of such projects. Future analyses of virtual worlds, in particular Second Life, will be useful if their pervasiveness increases.Practical implications – Library man...

Demonstrating RoI in the library: the Holy Grail search continues

Purpose – This article aims to examine approaches by academic libraries in demonstrating return on investment (RoI).Design/methodology/approach – As a participant in a recent international RoI study, the author reviews the various difficulties in developing a suitable methodology.Findings – Using grant income as the basis for demonstrating RoI, it was found that wide differences in results may be attributable to a number of factors related to the parent organisation, the availability of grant funding and the country of the study.Research limitations/implications – Further work is necessary to arrive at a suitable methodology for a diverse range of academic libraries.Practical implications – Library managers are alerted to issues and problems surrounding the development of return on investment methodologies.Originality/value – This paper will prove useful to librarians considering investing time and other resources in developing methodologies for demonstrating return on investment.

Knowledge exchange and community engagement: an academic library perspective

Purpose – This paper seeks to document the strategies and initiatives developed in a major Asian academic library, aiming to enhance the librarys role in promoting knowledge exchange and community wellbeing.Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines the librarys role in knowledge exchange at the university. It highlights a series of initiatives undertaken by the library that serve to promote community access to collections, services and special events. It also introduces ways in which the library has reached out to the local, regional and international communities.Findings – The success of the initiatives is demonstrated in many ways including the devoted commitment to making information available to the public at both university and library level, extended access to the library resources and services, active public participation in the special events and the librarys increased visibility and leadership in the local, regional and international communities.Research limitations/implications – While...

User‐initiated resource sharing in Hong Kong universities: planning to reality with HKALL

Purpose – To describe the introduction of a collaborative, user‐initiated, unmediated, interlibrary loan service for returnables between initially three and then all eight universities in Hong Kong.Design/methodology/approach – Historical narrative combined with user and staff evaluation.Findings – The introduction of the service has been a great success.Originality/value – This article describes in detail the introduction of a service that will be of interest and relevance to many other libraries facing declining budgets and the need to share resources in an efficient and effective way.

Fostering Innovation in Library Management and Leadership: The University of Hong Kong Libraries Leadership Institute

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss experiences gained from the introduction of a library leadership institute for Asian academic librarians.Design/methodology/approach – The success of the institute is measured through the evaluations of all participants including, most recently, an attempt to identify challenges faced by academic library leaders, and potential leaders, and assessing how well the institute addresses those challenges.Findings – While evaluations of the institute are highly positive, there appears to be potential for expanding the institute into two streams, one being strictly leadership and the other drawing mainly on management issues.Research limitations/implications – While analysis of institute evaluations and comments demonstrates a great deal of satisfaction, further research should be undertaken to identify long‐term benefits gained by participants.Practical implications – The volatile world of information places many challenges on library leaders in the Asia region. ...In 2003, the University of Hong Kong Libraries launched its inaugural Library Leadership Institute. This residential leadership and management training experience is aimed at providing library directors and senior librarians from research libraries in the East Asia region with the unique opportunity to develop new skills in the volatile area of innovative management and leadership in the information sector. Following four consecutively successful Institutes, this paper will draw on the experience gained in delivering such an Institute. With participants hailing from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and several other countries in the region, the author, who is also the principal organiser for the Institute and a regular facilitator, will outline: • The background to creating and delivering such an Institute; • The identified needs for such training; • An overview of how the Institute operates including the philosophy and techniques adopted including the use of practical/reallife experiences, case studies, high level participation, teamwork, problem solving, group and individual presentations and specialist international facilitators; • An overview of the changing needs of participants attending such an Institute; • The experience of participants attending the four Institutes; and • An analysis of the degree of success of the Institute with a review of survey results of past participants’ views on the practical leadership, management and innovation skills gained by them. The paper will conclude with an overview of the likely future directions for the Institute.

Cultivating leadership in Asian libraries: a longitudinal impact study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a study aimed at assessing the impact of the only recurring Asian library leadership institute on its participants. Design/methodology/approach – A review of the literature focussing on similar longitudinal studies was first conducted followed by a survey of past participants aimed at utilizing a self-evaluation approach. Findings – The study found it difficult to establish a conclusive cause and effect link between institute attendance and the subsequent changes in participants’ professional lives. Nevertheless the study provides compelling evidence that the institute has enhanced participants’ leadership skills, knowledge and insights and thus contributed directly or indirectly to changes in respect of their career progression, involvement in leadership activities and changes at their respective organizations. Research limitations/implications – Like other similar longitudinal studies on library leadership training, the inconclusive nature of findings s...

JURA: a collaborative solution to Hong Kong academic libraries storage challenge

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss issues and concerns raised in a collaborative and cooperative central storage facility for Hong Kong academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is to propose and to implement a joint storage business plan and a possibility of acting for others to consider similar storage facilities. Findings – Useful experiences have been gained while planning a central storage facility. Research limitations/implications – The proposed JURA project is for Hong Kong academic libraries. Practical implications – The sharing of JURA proposal to create a central storage will inform the libraries around the region of the benefits of having a useful facility in the long term. Originality/value – The paper will inform others wishing to set up collaborative storages on governance, storage systems, business plan, problems and issues in what is still a relatively unexplored approach to storage problems.

Fostering innovation in library management and leadership

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss experiences gained from the introduction of a library leadership institute for Asian academic librarians.Design/methodology/approach – The success of the institute is measured through the evaluations of all participants including, most recently, an attempt to identify challenges faced by academic library leaders, and potential leaders, and assessing how well the institute addresses those challenges.Findings – While evaluations of the institute are highly positive, there appears to be potential for expanding the institute into two streams, one being strictly leadership and the other drawing mainly on management issues.Research limitations/implications – While analysis of institute evaluations and comments demonstrates a great deal of satisfaction, further research should be undertaken to identify long‐term benefits gained by participants.Practical implications – The volatile world of information places many challenges on library leaders in the Asia region. ...In 2003, the University of Hong Kong Libraries launched its inaugural Library Leadership Institute. This residential leadership and management training experience is aimed at providing library directors and senior librarians from research libraries in the East Asia region with the unique opportunity to develop new skills in the volatile area of innovative management and leadership in the information sector. Following four consecutively successful Institutes, this paper will draw on the experience gained in delivering such an Institute. With participants hailing from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and several other countries in the region, the author, who is also the principal organiser for the Institute and a regular facilitator, will outline: • The background to creating and delivering such an Institute; • The identified needs for such training; • An overview of how the Institute operates including the philosophy and techniques adopted including the use of practical/reallife experiences, case studies, high level participation, teamwork, problem solving, group and individual presentations and specialist international facilitators; • An overview of the changing needs of participants attending such an Institute; • The experience of participants attending the four Institutes; and • An analysis of the degree of success of the Institute with a review of survey results of past participants’ views on the practical leadership, management and innovation skills gained by them. The paper will conclude with an overview of the likely future directions for the Institute.