Planning change in the Information Age: Approaches of Academic Library Directors in the United States

This study examines how academic library directors plan change in the information age and the factors influencing planning approaches. Bolman and Deal's reframing change model provides the foundation for this research. An online survey was sent to 1,010 directors. The response rate was 59%. The qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The collected quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive (frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations) and inferential statistics (chi-square tests, correlations, binary and multinomial logistic regressions). Most directors used multiple and dual approaches. The human resource approach was the most frequent single approach. Correlation and regression analysis confirms that demographics, human capital, and library variables play significant roles in planning change. Regression results show that directors who held more different professional positions were more likely to use multiple approaches to plan change than their counterparts. Directors who worked for a higher academic degree college or university were more likely than their counterparts to use multiple approaches rather than single approaches to plan change. Directors may use the results to reflect on different options of planning strategies and to be more successful planners of change. The results may also help librarians better understand various planning techniques and approaches.