A vision for change leadership: Trust, transparency and accountability at University of Wollongong Library

Authors

Clare McKenzie, University of Wollongong
Keith Brophy, University of Wollongong
Georgina Konstanta, University of Wollongong
Leanne Webster, University of Wollongong

Publication Name

Journal of Academic Librarianship

Abstract

At the University of Wollongong (UOW) Library, we created a vision for digital transformation through the Future-Ready Library Strategy (University of Wollongong Library, 2018). This was a conscious commitment to becoming a ‘digital-first’ library and with a strategic and disruption-ready mindset already in place at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to apply and accelerate many of our planned initiatives. At the start of the crisis, the library leadership team adopted a business continuity approach to decision making, inclusive of representatives of critical service areas for regular and frequent discussion and action. This approach enabled the sustained delivery of core and critical resources and services while remaining aligned to the vision (University of Wollongong, n.d.). This case study examines the strategies and approaches taken at UOW Library over the past five years and outlines our successes and challenges through change leadership that we believe goes beyond change management and to the heart of our people centred approach to leading in the library.

Open Access Status

This publication is not available as open access

Volume

49

Issue

3

Article Number

102710