Change Management for Libraries

After you attend this course, you’ll be able to:

• Understand the change management cycle.
  


• Design systems to support and prepare staff for upcoming changes.
  


• Communicate about changes clearly with staff and external stakeholders.
  


• Garner collaboration and buy-in from team members.
  


• Scope and plan for change.
  


• Analyze risks involved with change.
  


• Track key performance indicators over time.
  

Week 1: Planning and Initiating Change Management
Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Course & Workshop Introduction | 2:00-2:20 pm ET
An introduction to the weekly assignments, an overview of what to expect from the online workshop in this course, and a chance to complete the course pre-assessment.

Session 1 | 2:20-3:20 pm ET
How Change Happens (or doesn't!) in Organizations
How can you successfully plan for change? What types of change exist, and what unique preparations should you take for each? This session will discuss the purpose and goals of planning for change, planning in a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) environment, and how to prepare for different types of change. Leave with a better understanding of human responses to change and how you can anticipate them to set your organization and team up for success.

Break | 3:20-3:30 pm ET

Session 2 | 3:30-4:25 pm ET
Structures and Cultures for Change
What change management methods and models can you use to support change? This session will cover classic and modern change management models, and you will learn which models work best in different contexts. Leave with practical tools to create a work culture that embraces change.

Reflection & Closing Remarks | 4:25-4:30pm ET

Week 2:Engaging Stakeholders and Overcoming Challenges
Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Workshop Q&A | 2:00-2:15 pm ET
An introduction to the this week's assignments and a chance to ask questions about the online workshop.

Session 3 | 2:15-3:15 pm ET
Engaging Stakeholders in Change
How can you best identify and communicate with stakeholders? This session will discuss methods for clear and effective communication with a range of audiences. You will learn how to identify stakeholders, set outcomes, and work successfully with leaders, staff, and your community.

Break | 3:15-3:25pm ET

Session 4 | 3:25-4:25pm ET
Overcoming Challenges to Change
What types of challenges should you anticipate and plan for when dealing with change? This session will discuss how to overcome natural human responses, such as anxiety and scarcity mindsets. You will learn about the charisma trap, the rigidity trap, and how to build trust in your organization. We will end with an opportunity to engage in a Q&A about specific challenges you're currently facing. Leave with crowdsourced ideas to address your real-time issues.

Reflections & Closing Remarks | 4:25-4:30pm ET

This will be a 2-week online course and will include:

• Facilitated discussions: Audience participation in Q&A and discussion with guest speakers.
  
  
• Live sessions: Guest speaker presentations by leaders in their field. (All sessions are recorded for on demand access for six months after the course ends.)
  
  
• Asynchronous workshop: Project-based weekly assignments to connect what you’re learning to your professional life. Includes peer conversation via discussion forums. 
  
  
• Early access on-demand resources: Access to a series of past live session archives from Library Journal and School Library Journal courses to explore at your own pace.
  
  
• Online Classroom: The virtual learning platform that holds all course content and is accessible for six months after the course ends.

*Note: You do not have to complete the asynchronous work during these two weeks; it will be open to you for six months. However, the feedback from facilitators will only be available from September 10-24. 

Expected time commitment

If you watch the recordings of all sessions and participate in the asynchronous workshop, you'll spend approximately 2-4 hours per week on this course. You'll earn 10 hours of PD credit and a Library Journal certificate of completion.

On-demand access

All live guest speaker sessions are recorded and available on-demand for six months following the initial broadcast as a part of your purchase.

Certificate of completion

Complete the course and earn 10 professional development credit hours. We provide a certificate that is emailed to you.

Accessibility

All guest speaker sessions feature auto captioning and are made available on demand after the initial broadcast. Please email course-support@libraryjournal.com upon registration if you require any special accommodations and we will make our best efforts to facilitate them.

Support

For support with online courses, please contact course-support@libraryjournal.com.

Audrey Barbakoff, EdD., MLIS, CEO, Co/lab Capacity LLC

Dr. Barbakoff is a passionate public library leader, consultant, speaker, and author. She helps libraries and other social good organizations facilitate engaged learning that becomes the foundation for shared creativity and resilience. Barbakoff applies human-centered design and community-led practices to help libraries develop locally relevant, sustainable innovations that lead to more equitable, diverse, and inclusive services. She specializes in topics such as strategic planning, change management, and community engagement.

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