Being collegial AND pushing for change

I've been thinking, for a couple of weeks now, about "What Price Collegiality?" the post on Library 2.0: An Academic's Perspective. I've seen this idea on other library blogs, too, in various contexts -- that we can't promote change in our libraries if we're too nice, too agreeable, too collegial. Since I haven't heard any dissenting voices, here's one.

You can be collegial and make changes in your library at the same time. It takes some finesse. Sometimes, it takes some patience, but not as much as you might think.

If you bring up your idea in a weekly meeting every week for a month or six weeks, the person who thought it intolerably scary at the beginning of that time is now thinking "that old idea again? why doesn't she just get on with it!" And, the next day, you're registering an IM address for the reference librarians and downloading Trillian on the computer at the desk.

Here are some other strategies:

• don't surprise everyone in a meeting with your idea--have an ally or two briefed beforehand to show support


• solve problems that everyone knows exist rather than tackling the ones that only you see (and start pointing out the ones that you see so that eventually they will meet the criteria of common knowledge, as well)


• remember that sometimes it's easier to get forgiveness than permission -- for small things that you can do yourself or with a small group of like-minded individuals, present a fait accompli


• do your research -- show examples of other libraries doing what you propose


• write really professional project proposals--especially, if they aren't part of your organizational culture because they will often get approved just because they look so good


• use the words "pilot project"--a lot


• ask for more than you need -- then administration can confidently turn down your $800 advertising budget while approving everything else you wanted

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