At the beginning of 2010, new higher education legislation was enacted
in Finland. As a result, 17 state universities were consolidated into
three newly formed and autonomous universities. This chapter describes
the merger process of the libraries in these new universities, namely
Aalto University, University of Eastern Finland, and the University of
Turku. Using a case study approach, the chapter describes different
aspects of the merger process, particularly how to manage cultural
change in formerly independent libraries into a single new organization,
as well as how to define the new structures and alter directives for
management, leaving the past behind. Although this is based on Finnish
experiences, it is helpful for other libraries considering or engaged in
similar mergers by giving examples and tools for the actions needed for
new structures to succeed. Also described are the challenges that the
three libraries met in introducing innovations, the necessity for broad
communication, and marketing of the new structures within their
respective universities. Also included is a brief background description
of the overall impact of the new legislation on universities as a
whole. Higher education in Finland encompasses polytechnic institutes
and universities. This chapter addresses library mergers only in
universities.