(via Melissa Zilic, DePaul University)
The editors of Library Resources & Technical Services, an ALA Core Division journal, invite submissions and expressions of interest on the topic of change management in technical services. Library Resources & Technical Services publishes high-quality research, case studies, and professional communications open access at no cost to authors or readers.
Library and information professionals working with resources encounter change on a daily basis–both internally-initiated and externally-imposed. We therefore have ample opportunity to consider how we plan for, implement, and assess these changes. Although there are a variety of models and frameworks for change management, it typically involves making the case for a change, planning the change, implementing the change, followed by ongoing evaluation and improvement after the change. There is no expectation of an explicit framework for change management–the editors appreciate the responsive nature of imposed change.
A variety of topics could fall within scope of the special issue, including but not limited to:
- Change management frameworks viable in Technical Services
- Changes in workflow arising from the use of AI tools within technical services
- Cultural changes related to technical services staffing, reporting, organization, and employment
- Economics of change and budgetary implications
- Implementation of new standards or projects
- Legislative and policy changes related to access, equity, and opportunity
- Response to vendor changes (e.g., acquisitions models, vendor mergers, product closures)
- System migrations, implementations, or platform changes
The issue is tentatively scheduled for January, 2027. Submissions (requires setting up an account) will be considered on a rolling basis; however, to ensure that your manuscript is considered for the special issue, it must be received no later than Friday, May 1, 2026. Features (research articles) and Notes on Operations (case studies) will go through peer review as outlined in the Editorial Policies. Communications on Practice (shorter or more informal pieces) will be reviewed by the editors. Please consult the Author Guidelines when preparing your manuscript.
Please reach out with ideas, questions, or expressions of interest to special issue guest editors Meg Mering (mmering1@nebraska.edu) and Melissa Zilic (mzilic@depaul.edu).