Creating Organizational Buy-in

Abstract

While launching a discovery tool can be technically easy, establishing a process that will result in organizational buy-in for the tool is an exceptionally important first step for a successful implementation. Many lessons about creating organizational buy-in can be learned from experiences with federated search software and next-generation catalogs. Libraries must grapple with three critical areas before discovery tool implementation. First, the library will need to consider how the discovery tool will affect key library departments and create a plan for addressing their concerns. Second, training will need to be developed for staff as well as end users. Finally, monitoring and assessing the discovery tool’s performance and impact will inform future decision-making related to the tool’s integration with the library’s other systems and services. Each of these areas will be explored in the context of existing library research, with illustrations from James Madison University’s discovery tool implementation.