Description
The learning organisation is an organisation which consciously and continuously betters its capacity to learn and develop both at an individual -, group -, and organisational level. The purpose is to increase efficiency, flexibility and the ability to change. The learning organisation is continually developing its capacity to create its own future. NTNU Library is the second largest university library in Norway, with the nations largest and most comprehensive collections covering technology and architecture. The rapid change from traditional collections to e-resources, seen particularly within technological libraries, may cause a feeling that traditional library-values are being threatened. To counter this, we need a flexible attitude in management and staff alike. We should all have an open mind for what will serve our user groups best today, regardless of what we used to do yesterday. During the past two years, the NTNU Library has been establishing the framework of a learning organisation. In the spring of 2002 the senior management group, some middle managers and union representatives were given a training course in management philosophy, communication skills, coaching, and team-working, along with practical testing of an assortment of useful tools. This was followed by two-day seminars for the entire staff both in 2002 and 2003. The purpose is to implement both the philosophy and the practical aspects of the learning organisation in all parts of the library. The library has established a number of common values, as well as principles we all have to relate to in our daily work. We are far from done in our venture, but already we find that the principles, tools and skills we have learned tend to make differences of opinion less threatening, meetings more efficient, and the acceptance of a changing future more widespread. This paper will focus on the methods used to develop a learning organisation, positive and negative response, status today, and future plans.
Included in
Developing a learning organisation
The learning organisation is an organisation which consciously and continuously betters its capacity to learn and develop both at an individual -, group -, and organisational level. The purpose is to increase efficiency, flexibility and the ability to change. The learning organisation is continually developing its capacity to create its own future. NTNU Library is the second largest university library in Norway, with the nations largest and most comprehensive collections covering technology and architecture. The rapid change from traditional collections to e-resources, seen particularly within technological libraries, may cause a feeling that traditional library-values are being threatened. To counter this, we need a flexible attitude in management and staff alike. We should all have an open mind for what will serve our user groups best today, regardless of what we used to do yesterday. During the past two years, the NTNU Library has been establishing the framework of a learning organisation. In the spring of 2002 the senior management group, some middle managers and union representatives were given a training course in management philosophy, communication skills, coaching, and team-working, along with practical testing of an assortment of useful tools. This was followed by two-day seminars for the entire staff both in 2002 and 2003. The purpose is to implement both the philosophy and the practical aspects of the learning organisation in all parts of the library. The library has established a number of common values, as well as principles we all have to relate to in our daily work. We are far from done in our venture, but already we find that the principles, tools and skills we have learned tend to make differences of opinion less threatening, meetings more efficient, and the acceptance of a changing future more widespread. This paper will focus on the methods used to develop a learning organisation, positive and negative response, status today, and future plans.