Emerging Trends &
Change: Guiding Libraries
through Changes, Trends,
& Transitions
David Lee King
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
davidleeking.com

1970’s: adapting to OPACs

1980’s: The PC takes off…

1990’s: Internet Appears

2004: “Web 2.0” coined

First,
some “quotes”

Change, the old way
• Leaders simply ordered changes
• Goal: getting the change accomplished
• When it fails, leaders review details of the
change

They’re looking
in the wrong place

Change is external

Transition is internal

Most leaders base the
project on getting the
change accomplished
rather than on getting
people through the
transition.

3 Steps to Transition
1. Saying goodbye
2. Shifting into neutral
3. Moving forward

1. Saying Goodbye

Letting Go of the Past

2. Shifting into Neutral

100% Focus on Details

Some get stuck here!

3. Moving Forward

Resistance Will Happen!

Resistance isn’t
the problem
• Management’s reaction to resistance
creates the problems
• The resistors probably don’t see it
as resistance - they see it as survival

Three levels of
resistance
1. Information-based
2. Physiological and emotional
3. Bigger stuff

1. Information-based
• Not enough information
• Disagreement with the idea itself
• Not familiar with idea
• Confusion

2. Physiological/
Emotional
• My job is threatened
• My future with the organization
• Respect of my peers

3. Bigger Stuff
• Personal history
• Who you are – race, religion, etc
• Significant disagreement over values
• Transference - the person being resisted
represents someone else (fill in the blank)

How to Navigate
Through Change

Just for Leaders
(and techies)
• You've already come to terms with the
change
• Understand why people might not want to
change
• Understand that it's the transitions, not
the change, that's causing waves

Steps to Take
• Describe the change succinctly
• Plan carefully
• Help people respectfully let go
• Constant communication
• Create temporary solutions when needed
• Model new behavior!

Don't do these things!
• Don't confuse novelty with innovation
• Don't confuse motion with action
• Don't keep something going if it “still has a
few good years of life”

For techies
• You might be able to change quickly
• There are areas where you DON'T change
quickly
• Always share too much…
• Technojust(ification)

If you refuse
to change:
• Missed career opportunities
• you'll miss out on the opportunity to
expand your network and your ability to
develop new relationships
• You’ll miss out on the possibility of shaping
your new destiny and reality

Parting Thoughts
on Change

Thank you!
davidleeking.com