Behind the scenes but not behind the times: Technical services support for New Service Model initiatives

Abstract

This article demonstrates the importance of bringing technical service support to the forefront of planning major shifts in library collections or services and discusses the impact innovative technical services work can have in reshaping the library landscape. Though technical service work is often performed outside of public view, and, in fact, is often overlooked as the resource it can be within the library, the potential is there for technical services to provide invaluable support in adopting new programs and services in direct support of patron needs and campus priorities. Several examples of recent initiatives are used as case studies to illustrate these points.

Keywords::

• Organizational change
• project management
• strategic planning
• technical services