An organisational model for university libraries in transition

Abstract

The organisation of the university library in comprehensive universities is determined to a large extent by a number of historical factors. Often there is a large number of separate locations which are more or less independent, sometimes even autarchic. Furthermore, the back-office work-processes are very departmentalised. A number of developments, all closely linked with the use of modern information technology, necessitate the redesigning of the traditional organisational models and a process of iterative adaptation of the organisational structure. The traditional models are not fit for this; forced adjustments result in an unbalanced structure, which is difficult to manage. There is a need for a new model, which is not only fit for the present situation (the so-called hybrid library) but which can also accommodate the gradual changes towards a digital library. The main characteristic of a new model is the distinction between: - Front-office: the services with an interaction with the users. - Back office: the activities concerned with scientific information, but without interaction with the users. - Facilities: activities that are not concerned with scientific information (such as financial administration, human resource management). In addition, special attention is needed for innovation processes.