FROM THE PRESIDENT

At the Fifth National Conference of PLA held in Atlanta in 1994, Becky Schreiber presented a program on organizational change. I have kept the notes on my desk and share them with staff members as we make organizational changes. It helps to know that our feelings are normal as we go through the process dictated by our rapidly changing information world.

Schreiber based her remarks on the seven stages of transition outlined in the book Life Changes by Sabina Spencer and John Adams. Before beginning the process, it helps to create a group vision of where you want to go, be flexible, realize you are managing uncertainty, and maintain a sense of humor.

Stage 1: Losing Focus or Panic. We need to be concrete with staff--what do we know? Stability is temporary or illusionary.

Stage 2: Minimizing the Impact or Denial. We must provide small successes and build courage to face the future.

Stage 3: The Pit. People feel out of control and incompetent and anger against management.

Stage 4: Letting Go of the Past. This takes a leap of faith. Help people see what they are bringing with them. Create rituals to celebrate the past and future.

Stage 5: Testing New Limits. This stage is full of energy and enthusiasm. Allow people to make mistakes. Strengthen confidence to move on.

Stage 6: Searching for Meaning. Get off the emotional roller coaster and realize change is an essential part of living and we must be courageous enough to move into the future.

Stage 7: Integrating. The transition is completed and you have reached your common vision.

I remembered this presentation as we discussed the ALA reorganization. It is a challenge to bring our staff along with change and with the size of ALA membership, we can easily see the challenge. An international service organization I belong to has the theme leaders in service-- keeping the best, changing the rest. That theme could apply to ALA as well.

I am pleased that LIRT has built in mechanisms for approaching change through the Five-Year Financial Planning Task Force and the Long Range Planning Committee. Share your ideas for change with your committee chair or the Steering Committee as we move LIRT into the future.