Crafting Competencies, Creating Culture: Using Core Competencies to Navigate Departmental Mergers

Staff reorganizations and department mergers are common strategies libraries use to respond to changing needs and economic pressures. To make organizational changes work well, however, librarians need to consider how best to bring people on board and enable them to thrive in the new environment. This article argues that the creation of a core competencies document, developed by the staff themselves, helps establish a common culture for a successful merger. A relevant, living document should include mechanisms for assessment and revision and should encourage personal and professional growth. Core competencies—the skills or attributes that people need to carry out their work effectively—can articulate shared values that will empower staff to advance the library's mission.