Re-Engineering as a Change Agent at the National Library of Canada

Abstract

Business process re-engineering (or re-engineering) involves a rethinking of the processes, operations and structure of an organization in order to achieve dramatic improvements in its outputs. Over the past four years the National Library of Canada has been engaged in an in-depth review of several of its activities using re-engineering. Three projects have been undertaken, involving the Serials Record Section, the document delivery of items in the library's collections, and bibliographic access (including cataloguing and related activities). The last was carried out over the summer of 1993, and as a result four working groups were set up, each dealing with the following prime recommendations: strengthening the focus on users; simplifying cataloguing priorities and reducing cataloguing levels; reorganizing the cataloguing operation to reflect an integrated approach: and streamlining the current partially contracted out CIP programme. A reorganized bibliographic access function took effect on March 1, 1995, incorporating a new approach to management and demonstrating greater involvement in decision making by staff at all levels. Essential elements for successful re-engineering include senior management commitment, selection of knowledgeable and representative team members, the use of technology as a means not an end, and regular communication channels.