Abstract
The shifting sands and rising tides of digital disruption within academic libraries, and the continually evolving demands and expectations of university leaders, academics and students, require innovative solutions and effective leadership. In 2018, the Library at the University of Western Australia (UWA) commenced two initiatives to future proof its workforce, preparing staff to take advantage and innovate within the rapid pace of change.
Leading for Success is a leadership program designed to provide library staff with a contemporary and relevant skill-set to initiate and lead change to develop and deliver new initiatives. This program builds on a strong history of successful leadership development at UWA Library. Designed and delivered in partnership with UWA’s Organisational Development unit, the University Library is leading the way through the creation of a program that can be adapted and delivered into other areas of the University. The program aims to prepare staff for new challenges and opportunities, including higher-level positions, which contributes to succession planning within the Library and the wider University.
In 2018, the Library also commenced a project to develop a workforce plan to identify current and near-future skills required for library staff. This has resulted in the production of a dynamic skills matrix for use as a tool for mapping current staff capabilities and to assist with professional developmental planning for individual staff and teams. The plan is assisting the Library to future proof its workforce and enable staff to engage proactively in career development.
This paper will describe the elements of the two programs and make comparisons with library staff development initiatives delivered elsewhere. It will evaluate the success of the two programs from the perspective of the participants, and provide a framework for other institutions wishing to develop similar initiatives.
Leading for Success is a leadership program designed to provide library staff with a contemporary and relevant skill-set to initiate and lead change to develop and deliver new initiatives. This program builds on a strong history of successful leadership development at UWA Library. Designed and delivered in partnership with UWA’s Organisational Development unit, the University Library is leading the way through the creation of a program that can be adapted and delivered into other areas of the University. The program aims to prepare staff for new challenges and opportunities, including higher-level positions, which contributes to succession planning within the Library and the wider University.
In 2018, the Library also commenced a project to develop a workforce plan to identify current and near-future skills required for library staff. This has resulted in the production of a dynamic skills matrix for use as a tool for mapping current staff capabilities and to assist with professional developmental planning for individual staff and teams. The plan is assisting the Library to future proof its workforce and enable staff to engage proactively in career development.
This paper will describe the elements of the two programs and make comparisons with library staff development initiatives delivered elsewhere. It will evaluate the success of the two programs from the perspective of the participants, and provide a framework for other institutions wishing to develop similar initiatives.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 2019 IATUL Proceedings |
| Subtitle of host publication | Shifting Sands and Rising Tides: Leading Libraries through Innovation |
| Place of Publication | USA |
| Publisher | Purdue University |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Publication status | Published - 2019 |
| Event | 40th Annual IATUL Conference: Shifting Sands and Rising Tides - Leading Libraries through Innovation - University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia Duration: 23 Jun 2019 → 27 Jun 2019 http://www.iatul2019.org/?pgid=1486 (IATUL 2019) |
Publication series
| Name | Proceedings of the IATUL Conferences |
|---|---|
| Publisher | International Association of Scientific and Technological University Libraries (IATUL) |
| Volume | 2019 |
Conference
| Conference | 40th Annual IATUL Conference |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | IATUL 2019 |
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Perth |
| Period | 23/06/19 → 27/06/19 |
| Other | The International Association of University Libraries (IATUL) invites you to attend the 40th Annual IATUL Conference at The University of Western Australia and Curtin University in Perth, Australia from 23 June to 27 June 2019. This is an excellent opportunity to hear about the latest academic library initiatives and network with colleagues and friends from all over the world. Technology has fundamentally changed the role of the academic library and how it operates. This is evident in the increased access to digital sources of knowledge, and digital tools and services for students, teachers and researchers along with the increasingly important role of the library’s physical place on campus. The IATUL 2019 conference themes will provide ample opportunity to explore and learn about how the library can enable work, study and research in higher education. |
| Internet address |
|