The Promise of Appreciative Inquiry in Library Organizations

Abstract

Appreciative Inquiry is a different approach to organizational development,
\none that calls for the deliberate search for what contributes to
\norganizational effectiveness and excellence. Appreciative Inquiry is a practical
\nphilosophy that assumes the organization is a ???mystery??? and a ???marvel???
\nto be embraced, not a problem to be solved (Cooperrider & Srivastava,
\n1987, p. 131). The author???s experience with this different approach to organizational
\ndevelopment reveals its power to unleash the creative energy
\nwithin library organizations. This article describes the principles, process,
\nand some of the practices of Appreciative Inquiry.