This document outlines a panel discussion on professional transitions in libraries. The panelists, who are library directors and managers, will discuss how they knew they were ready for a career change, how they thought about risk, the resources that helped them transition, lessons they learned, surprises they encountered, how their work has changed, and advice for others considering a transition. The panel hopes to help others navigate organizational changes by sharing their experiences and lessons from their own professional transformations.

1. Taking the Wheel
Charting a Course for a Professional Transformation

2. The Plan
1. Context
2. Ready for Change?
3. Lessons Learned
4. Wrap-up
Hashtag: #ChartTransition

3. Context

4. Your Panelists
Sarah Faye Cohen
Managing Director, Open Textbook Network
Kim Duckett
Head, Research & Instructional Services, Duke U Libraries
Rebecca Kate Miller
Head of Library Learning Services, Penn State
Lisa Nickel Associate Dean of Research & Public Services,
William & Mary
Lauren Pressley
Director UW Tacoma/Associate Dean UW Libraries

5. How did you know
you were ready?

6. Ready for Change?

7. How did you think
about Risk in
Making a change?

8. What resources helped
you make the
transition in the
early stage? Later and
ongoing?

9. Lessons Learned

10. What did you learn from
transitioning to a new
organizational culture that
could benefit others?

11. What caught you
off guard during
your transition?

12. What’s changed in
how you work?

13. Putting it together

14. What’s the most
important advice
you can offer?

15. How do you feel
about the change
you made now that
you’re through the
transition?