DESCRIPTION
As academic libraries face accelerating digital transformation, their primary information technology (IT) unit or systems department is forced to rethink and redefine its role. The biggest challenge this brings is how to maintain balance between supporting operational stability and seeking innovative solutions to enhance services—all in alignment with the organization’s strategic plan. The requirement to lead cross- departmental teams while managing without authority can be additionally tricky. A lean-methodologies framework is essential for systems teams to fulfill their driver role in such efforts. This session will outline one institution’s strategies to integrate lean practices into the library context by expanding cross-departmental participation in IT initiatives. By re-branding IT projects as library projects, clearly defining roles, and proactively communicating status and impact, collective ownership of this work can be achieved. The session will also share practices and techniques on applying the same lean framework to non-IT projects, including strategic organizational changes, to foster collaboration, continuous learning and organizational agility.
