8.1 Open Science is Built on Trust…How about our Library Organisation?

As we move into open science the nature of the library changes. As a consequence our library organization should change as well. In a knowledge economy trust is a key ingredient: it is a pillar in the open science movement. To be successful in open science, we need to incorporate trust in our library culture. At Rotterdam university library we took up the challenge.

We want to be flexible, open, digital and entrepreneurial, but our current organizational models do not fit this need. We have moved from an inward looking, task-oriented organization into a result driven culture, but this does not seem to be the solution. We managed to get great projects done in a short time. Yet, people in libraries do not work for carrots and sticks: they are in the library field because they feel it is worthwhile to commit themselves to this cause. If we continue our result driven approach we would drive out the soul of our organization.

How would our organization look like if we would build it entirely on trust?

In Rotterdam we started this journey. First of all, we put the cause central in our vision rather than tasks or results. We trust our colleagues to be committed and capable to do what is needed and what is right. Our colleagues can decide which projects contribute best to our cause, they can decide about the means -time, budgets- needed. They have all the information needed for decisions at hand, as we do not have any confidential information (except for information that legally cannot be shared). And then they can decide for themselves. Decisions are made, also by the director, when at least three relevant colleagues have been consulted for advice. We are totally flexible: you have a job… but that does not mean you have work. People can take the role they think is needed and they aspire. This has released a lot of energy: you can bring your entire self to work when you feel that what you do is right and meaningful. I wish we would all have this experience and I want to share it with you.