WAYS OF CHANGE - AN ACQUISITIONS DEPARTMENT IN THE 1990S

The evolutionary change that has occurred in the workflow, job assignm ents, and organization of the acquisitions department at the Universit y Libraries of Notre Dame during the past four years is described Many changes have occurred not through an administrative mandate but throu gh staff initiative. Convergence is illustrated by she merging of func tions through internal reorganization and by collaboration with other departments in carrying out critical functions. The means by which cha nge occurred and the factors most influential in bringing it about are examined. The perceptions of support staff who have been the active a gents of change are reported. Finally, the authors speculate about wha t such methods of meeting the challenge of a changing environment can contribute to academic libraries seeking their ''preferred future.'' ( C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.