The Learning Organization

The University of Maryland Libraries are committed to becoming a team-based learning organization. In response to the changing needs of the University and the changing information needs of faculty, students and staff, the Libraries have renewed and transformed their commitment to quality service. The Libraries have begun a systemic change process with the emphasis on the development of staff to improve the organization's performance. Emerging principles shaping the organization include:

• Valuing the importance of learning and education that will lead to improved service to customers,
• Assessing and improving work processes through process re-engineering,
• Fostering shared decision making and accountability among library staff,
• Forming self-managing teams,
• Developing shared leadership by strengthening the leadership skills of all library staff, and
• Changing the culture of the organization by creating and nurturing a shared vision and set of values by which all staff can live.

The UM Libraries have adopted Peter Senge's definition of a Learning Organization in which he describes a learning organization as "a group of people continually enhancing their capacity to create what they want to create" (The Fifth Discipline, 1990). All library staff are key participants in becoming a learning organization. This requires a commitment to the ongoing process of learning, growth and development. 

The Learning Curriculum, launched in May 2001, is a comprehensive learning and education plan of over 150 content hours that focuses on individual and organizational development.  It it is a plan for all library staff to develop the skills needed to become members of teams and to improve the way we operate as an organization. For details visit the Learning Curriculum Website.

Three programmatic areas support the Libraries' individual and organizational advancement and work closely together to provide resources and tools for library staff.

Organizational Development 

The Organizational Development Office supports the efforts of the team-based learning organization through the planning and design of systems and processes, and training and facilitation for teams, units and workgroups. 

Staff Learning and Development

The Staff Learning and Development Office provides educational programs and resources for 300+ staff in the Libraries, under the umbrella of the Learning Curriculum. The staff of the office collaborates with the Assistant Dean for Organizational Development, the Personnel Programs Coordinator, and other individuals and groups in the Libraries. 

Personnel Programs

The Libraries Human Resources Office (LHRO) provides human resource management programs and services to Library faculty, staff, graduate assistants and student employees. By doing so, the LHRO helps the Libraries maintain a diverse population of motivated and skilled staff.