Managing Technical Services in a Changing Environment: The Cornell Experience

Abstract

Prior to 1993, the technical services sections at Cornell University were traditionally organized. At the request of the university librarian, a library self-study was conducted. Using a structure that included an overall steering committee and 6 functionally oriented task forces, an analysis of technical services was undertaken. In the end, the task forces recommended, and the university librarian accepted, that the traditional structure be replaced by a modular, less hierarchical structure in which staff groups were reorganized around discrete functions. The balance sheet on what was accomplished, naturally, is mixed. Most, but not all, of the changes that were made have had positive results.