Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Library Assessment Conference 2025
Publication Date
1-2025
First Page
1
Last Page
12
Publisher
Utah State University
Abstract
Like many academic libraries, Utah State University Libraries have had a long and complex relationship with our integrated library systems (ILS). After migrating to SirsiDynix’s Symphony ILS from their older Horizon system in 2009, the Libraries moved to Innovative Interfaces Inc.’s Sierra platform in 2012. These back-to-back migrations not only created frustration and fatigue amongst library staff, the decision-making processes that led to the migrations were also flawed and lacked genuine staff involvement. This resulted in problems during the implementation stage, such as workloads being inadvertently shifted from one unit to another. Understandably, this bred some long-standing resentment towards the idea of migration that persisted for over a decade across large portions of library staff. But in the past five years, as the Sierra platform began to show its age, it became clear that the system would not be able accommodate the Libraries’ growing needs around collection management, as well as the desire to provide a usable and accessible catalog and discovery experience for library patrons. To make the case and break the tension around discussions of migration, the Libraries’ executive committee commissioned a task force to conduct a systematic evaluation of both the needs for a new system and the general staff attitude about migration.
Recommended Citation
LaSure, Joe; Ozburn, Lindsay; Sundt, Alex; and Woolcott, Liz, "Assessment as Change Management: Facilitating Consensus, Decision-Making, and Culture Change Through a Scaffolded Approach to ILS Review and Selection" (2025). Library Faculty & Staff Presentations. Paper 244.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/lib_present/244