Encourages the library manager to develop a facility for "reframing," or seeing a situation from several viewpoints in succession. This technique can aid in problem solving and in effecting change in organizational culture. Frames listed include structural, human-resource related, political, or symbolic, and practical considerations…

Discusses Total Quality Management (TQM), benefits to libraries, and possible barriers to its adoption. An overview is provided of 13 articles included in this issue on (1) library approaches to TQM; (2) implementing a TQM program; (3) supporting TQM efforts; and (4) learning from the experience of others. (EAM)

Discussion of organizational development and change focuses on parallel organization, a theory that combines changes in organizational theory with Quality of Work Life (QWL) theory. Criteria for effective employee participation groups are described, design and implementation of the parallel organization are explained, applications to libraries are…

The application of business skills and practices to the operation of academic libraries is becoming popular. Management skills will be useful as increased information production and technological complexity are being offset by shortages in resources and labor. To avoid conflict, managers must focus on teamwork, quality, customer service,…

Focuses on the customer satisfaction element of Total Quality Management (TQM) in libraries, including definition of the terms customer and customer satisfaction, determining customer expectations, complaint systems, keeping customers, and empowerment of staff. Appendices list approaches libraries and other organizations have used to improve…

Academic libraries, like many consumer businesses in the "for-profit sector," may expect to experience discomfort as they embark on a transition stage between old and new ways of operating. The challenge for academic library directors is to successfully navigate challenges of implementing performance-based pay concepts and cultural…

Discusses collection development in research libraries and presents a model for organizing collection management that combines functional and team-based design principles. Traditional and new organization designs of university libraries are described, and collection development and management is defined in terms of reference and technical…

Advocates the use of the Total Quality Management (TQM) model for libraries to survive financially and to retain their customers. An award for library quality based on the Malcolm Baldridge Award is proposed to enable institutions to use an evaluation procedure that rewards a commitment to continuous improvement. (Contains five references.) (EAM)

Examines the concept of empowerment as a movement to foster the democratization of the workplace and staff development. Empowerment versus participative management, the relationship of empowerment to organizational theory, factors influencing empowerment in organizations, and possible consequences of successful empowerment for employees and…

Describes some characteristics of the modern organization that affect contract or negotiated management and identifies changes in approach relevant for library and information organizations management now and in the future. (EM)

Describes the Oregon State University library's experience with Total Quality Management (TQM) from initial training and development of two teams to its use as an impartial problem-solving tool which anyone can use. Staff concerns and fears about TQM are discussed, and benefits are explained. (Contains five references.) (EAM)

Explains the need for meaningful performance measures in libraries and the Total Quality Management (TQM) approach to data collection. Five tools representing different stages of a TQM inquiry are covered (i.e., the Shewhart Cycle, flowcharts, cause-and-effect diagrams, Pareto charts, and control charts), and benchmarking is addressed. (Contains…

Discussion of academic research libraries' changes in organizational structure focuses on experiences at the Indiana University Libraries. Highlights include principles encouraging organizational change and empowerment; the role and nature of the library, including a focus on the user; library reorganization; and strategic planning, quality, and…

Summarizes the experience of the Harvard College Library (Massachusetts) with Total Quality Management (TQM) and its plans for a pilot implementation and training process. The strength of the approach is shown to lie in the broadly based membership of the steering committee, commitment to group process, and ongoing communication efforts with…

Advocates the need for libraries to identify, nurture, and sustain new partnerships given rapid technological advancements and trends in information economics. Principles of partnerships are described, including Total Quality Management (TQM), negotiation, seamless connectivity, performance data, trust, patience, and perseverance; and steps in the…