Concerns and expectations of library staff before and after a merger

1. Concerns and expectations of library staff before and after a merger

2. Research questions • How important is it to library staff of the three merging institutions that certain work-related conditions stay the same? • Which concerns that people have during a merger apply to the library staff of the three merging institutions? • When library employees think of the merger which mood describes them best? Library and Information Services

3. Figure 1. The 5 most important conditions that should stay the same Library and Information Services

4. Figure 2. The 5 least important conditions that should stay the same Library and Information Services

5. Table 1. Conditions that library staff regarded very important to stay the same Conditions 1 – 5 yrs 6 – 10 yrs 11 – 15 yrs 2003 2004 2003 2004 20032004 % % % % % % Same benefits 23 63 37 Same standards 35 65 35 Same job 35 80 Same values, beliefs 31 60 31 Same policies 22 67 44 Same language 09 57 36 Same team 55 100 Same director 27 78 27 Same job title 50 64 Same supervisor 40 100 Same office 44 67 Same procedures 50 73 Same traditions 38 60 Same users 40 78 60 Library and Information Services

6. Conclusions relating to research question #1 • Majority of staff preferred conditions to stay the same • To the majority of staff it was important that job security and job quality stay the same • Junior staff was most in favour of conditions staying the same Library and Information Services

7. Table 2. Merger-related concerns of library staff Library and Information Services

8. Conclusions relating to research question #2 • Most staff members were concerned that they might have to do a different job • Fewest staff members were concerned that they won’t be happy in the post-merger library • Fewer staff had concerns after the merger • However, some concerns applied to more staff members after the merger Library and Information Services

9. Table 3. Emotions of staff which describe their progress in a change cycle Library and Information Services

10. Table 3. Emotions of staff which describe their progress in a change cycle Library and Information Services

11. Table 3. Emotions of staff which describe their progress in a change cycle Library and Information Services

12. Table 3. Emotions of staff which describe their progress in a change cycle Library and Information Services

13. Figure 3. How library staff experienced change before the merger Library and Information Services

14. Figure 4. How library staff experienced change after the merger Library and Information Services

15. Conclusions relating to research question #3 • After the merger: clear signs that some staff were coming to terms with the merger • Some staff still have emotions which are identified with loss Library and Information Services

16. Closing remarks • Merger related concerns are real and alive • Expectations and concerns before a merger do not necessarily go away after the merger • It may change over time and may even increase Library and Information Services