2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

A Guide to Change Management Using the SARAH Model

Presented at Engineering Libraries Division (ELD) Poster Session

Academic libraries are the heart of colleges and universities and, as such, are often centrally involved in and impacted by changes in the greater higher education landscape. For those working in these spaces, familiarity with strategies for managing change is essential to support yourself and others during especially turbulent times. The SARAH model, described below in bullet points with our modifications in brackets, offers a memorable way to understand responses to change, be they our own or others.

S - Shock or Surprise
A – Anger [Anxiety, Alert, or Anticipation]
R – Resistance or Rejection [Re-engagement, or Rationalization]
A - Acceptance
H - Help or Hope
This is not an inevitable cycle and some people may not move through the stages in a linear manner. The existing model offers structure, but our addition adds flexibility, opportunities for positive reactions, and library-specific examples and context. This model, and our modifications to it, helps individuals identify their own or others reaction to change, recognize where they might be in the process, and respond with empathy and support. By understanding feelings and reactions of ourselves and others, we can provide thoughtful and intentional support during difficult times.

United by their shared name, the Sara(h)s of ELD bring together their diverse experiences and perspectives to present the SARAH model for use in academic libraries, and particularly for those working with Engineering or STEM departments. This paper and poster will present the SARAH model alongside strategies and examples for supporting both yourself and others when managing change in a library context.

Authors

Sara Kern Pennsylvania State University [biography]

Sara Kern is an Engineering Librarian at Penn State University. She earned her MA in history from Penn State and her MSLIS at Syracuse University. Her research interests include inclusive library outreach and instruction.
Sarah Barbrow http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8033-3945 University of Michigan [biography]

Sarah Barbrow is a librarian and the Assistant Director of the Engineering Library at the University of Michigan. She is a liaison to three departments: Computer Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.

Sarah graduated with an MSI in Library and Information Services from the University of Michigan School of Information. She also has an MSc in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology also from the University of Michigan.
Sarah Jane Dooley http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0574-4506 Dalhousie University [biography]

Sarah Jane Dooley is Reference Coordinator and Liaison Librarian for Engineering at Dalhousie University's Sexton Design & Technology Library in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Ms. Sarah E Lester http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1615-658X California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo [biography]

Sarah Lester is the College Librarian for Engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She has over 20 years of experience working in Engineering Libraries. Her research focuses on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the STEM fields with a focus on librarians' work.
Dr. Sarah Over http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2599-0050 Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University [biography]

Dr. Sarah Over is the Assistant Director for Research Intelligence at Virginia Tech, serving as their Engineering Librarian and representative for their new Patent and Trademark Resource Center. She is also part of a team focused on research impact and intelligence to support the College of Engineering and Office of Research and Innovation at Virginia Tech. Dr. Over’s background is in aerospace and nuclear engineering, with years of experience teaching engineering research methods and introductory coding.
Sarah Weiss http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5747-9655 University of Maryland College Park [biography]

Sarah Weiss is a STEM and Open Science librarian at the University of Maryland - College Park. Her work includes liasonship to the College of Engineering as well as the promotion of open science practices on campus. She has a MLIS as well as a bachelors of science in education from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026

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