Public Services Redefinition
Implementation - First Message

Hi all,

After last week's lengthy email, you're probably all wondering what the next steps will be in implementing the Modified Model One as described in its most recent iteration. This email will give you a sense of how I envision the process unfolding.

First, I'd like to take this opportunity to extend my tremendous gratitude and thanks to the members of the Organizational Issues Task Force and to officially disband them. Their work lasted longer than they anticipated, yet each person retained a balanced perspective and a good sense of humor. They succeeded in reaching consensus about a new model for the MIT Libraries' public service units, and I applaud them for work well done!

Here are the steps that need to be taken to implement our new Public Services' organizational model:

1. Identify the user groups we will focus on: PSAC worked on this today and should have a list to distribute within the next week

2. Flesh out the options and career paths for librarians choosing either reference or instruction as a primary responsibility: PSAC also worked on this today, and Ginny will follow-up with Steering Committee and Jennifer Walsh on several issues within the next few weeks

3. Figure out where people who have split assignments will end up: this is currently underway and should be concluded within the next three weeks

4. Have each librarian select a primary and possibly secondary area of responsibility as well as a user group to focus on: this should be done by the end of November

In addition to these individual steps, I intend to form an Implementation Leadership Team that will 1) develop and oversee a master plan for implementation of Modified Model One, 2) review and assess the success of the new model, 3) communicate to all staff the plans for implementation, and 4) coach and advise groups that are formed in our new structure. If you are interested in participating in this new Implementation Leadership Team, please let me know by the end of the day Monday, November 2. As part of this effort, we'll need to have representation from all public services units and at all levels of staff.

Thanks to all of you for your contributions to the Redefinition process! I'm looking forward to getting some of our new ideas put in place and look forward to working with all of you in making this Redefinition a success!

Ginny