The “Bus Proof” Library: Technical Succession Planning, Knowledge Transfer, and Institutional Memory

Abstract

The departure of colleagues with a long tenure at a library, whether planned or unplanned, can be devastating for the organization. A review of the literature reveals that terminology for discussing this issue is inexact, but that “knowledge transfer” with a particular focus on “tacit knowledge” and “institutional memory” are useful terms. Library leadership needs to plan for effective knowledge transfer early, ensuring that explicit knowledge is maintained consistently in easily accessible forms, and that tacit knowledge is transferred through methods such as phased retirement, cross-training, and storytelling. The study conducted here illuminates these issues, but further work is needed to determine the next steps.

Keywords:

• technical succession planning
• knowledge transfer
• institutional memory
• libraries
• explicit knowledge
• tacit knowledge
• turnover
• retirement

Acknowledgments

The investigators wish to acknowledge the assistance of the NSU IRB, the board and membership of OK-ACRL, and Adrienne Butler and Bill Young of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.