Implementing change and reorganization in the acquisitions departments at the University of Alabama and the University of Florida

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the motivations, creation, and implementation of workflow and organizational redesigns within two academic library acquisitions departments: the University of Alabama (UA) and the University of Florida (UF). Design/methodology/approach – Both institutions utilized a combination of goal identification, staff contribution, and Blackwell's workflow consulting services to build and implement new acquisitions workflows. Findings – A comparison of the projects reveals two paths to conducting a reorganization of acquisitions in academic libraries, but with the same goal: doing more with less staff while promoting a more cost‐efficient model of operations. Originality value – In evaluating these analysis projects at UA and UF, common successes that are applicable to future undertakings were identified.