Page 46 - DLIS003_LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

Unit 2: Library Authority and Communities

freedom to act. It gives practical training to middle level managers and facilitates Notes
management development at the enterprise level.

2.7.3 Limitations of Decentralization

Decentralization has the following limitations:

1. Decentralisation may lead to the problem of co-ordination at the level of an enterprise as
the decision-making authority is not concentrated.
2. Decentralisation may lead to inconsistencies (i.e. absence of uniformity) at the Organisation
level. For example, uniform policies or procedures may not be followed for the same type
of work in different divisions.
3. Decentralisation is costly as it raises administrative expenses on account of requirement
of trained personnel to accept authority at lower levels. Even the services of such highly
paid manpower may not be utilised fully, particularly in small organisations.
4. Introduction of decentralisation may be difficult or may not be practicable in small concerns
where product lines are not broad enough for the creation of autonomous units for
administrative purposes.
5. Decentralisation creates special problems particularly when the enterprise is facing number
of uncertainties or emergency situations. The decision-making process gets delayed and
even correct decisions as per the changing situations may not be possible.

Self Assessment

State whether the following statements are true or false:
14. Decentralisation helps to improve the quality of decisions/decision-making at the middle
level management.
15. Decentralisation may lead to the problem of co-ordination at the level of an enterprise as
the decision-making authority is not concentrated.

Case Study Harvard’s Library System to be Restructured

he university’s sprawling yet intellectually extraordinary library system needs
administrative, financial, and technological restructuring, according to an official
TTask Force on University Libraries. The traditionally decentralized system faces
particular challenges in an environment that includes tighter budgets, shifting boundaries
among academic disciplines, increased interdisciplinarity, and the destabilizing influence
of the digital revolution.

The task force report makes five core recommendations: adoption of a shared administrative
structure; improvement to information technology systems; changes to funding models
and cost-sharing among the libraries, particularly with respect to offsite storage
(45 per cent of the collection is held in a depository); enhanced coordination of materials
collection and especially access; and increased collaboration with other institutions.
The comprehensive report also calls for the immediate formation of an implementation
group, whose members were named in an accompanying letter from the task force chair,
University provost Steven E. Hyman.
Contd...

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