University Libraries Strategic Plan

GOALS, CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS, and OBJECTIVES (including Strategies and Assessments)

Goal 1. Access and Diversity: Serve a larger, more academically prepared, and diverse student body.

Critical Success Factors(measures of the degree of success over the next 5 years):

Assure programs, resources, and services are accessible to all.
Promote the Library system as an asset for the recruitment and retention of students and faculty.
Purchase materials annually on subjects of interest to multicultural, or under-represented groups.

Objectives:

Objective 1.1: Provide access and services to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff.

Strategies:

Develop an advocacy program for patrons with disabilities to ensure that collections, facilities, and services are accessible to them.
Establish a system for monitoring the use of library resources and services to determine areas in which access can be enhanced.
Strengthen the liaison program that educates departments, faculty, and the university administration admin library resources useful for research needs.

Assessments:

Number of requests for Americans With Disabilities Act services.
Number of requests for, or usage of, library resources and services.
Number of departmental and faculty contacts and responses.

Objective 1.2: Offer library collections and programs that interest multicultural, or under-

represented groups.

Strategy:

Augment the collections and programs within the Library system relating to multicultural, or under-represented groups.

Assessments:

Number of acquisitions.
Amount of multicultural resources.
Number of programs presented for multicultural audiences.

Goal 2. Academic Excellence: Attain national recognition as a top research library.

Critical Success Factors(measures of the degree of success over the next 5 years):

Attain a ranking in the top 50 of Association of Research Libraries.
Increase budget to $8 million for collection development.
Increase use of all collections.
Increase access to information in all formats.

Objectives:

Objective 2.1: Build research collections and provide access to them.

Strategies:

Select and process e-resources.
Select and process special format materials.
Write grant proposals to private and public foundations to increase funds available for resource purchases.
Solicit donations and gifts-in-kind.
Lobby the university administration to increase funding for the Libraries.
Ensure data integrity and enhance searching precision through database maintenance.

Assessments:

Number of hits in e-resource collections.
Number of increases in use of special format materials.
Number of increases in the size and quality of library holdings.
Amount of library budget.
Number of records updated.
Numbers of decrease in database errors.

Objective 2.2: Measure the success of the Libraries in meeting patron needs.

Strategies:

Annually administer the Web-based LibQUAL survey, developed by the Association of Research Libraries, to determine the satisfaction of patrons regarding the quality of library services.
Conduct periodic focus group sessions with library users.
Evaluate the results from graduate exit surveys relating to library services.

Assessments:

LibQUAL survey ratings.
Student exit survey.

Objective 2.3: Develop Library instruction programs that are recognized for their excellence.

Strategies:

Encourage enrollment in the Introduction to Library Research courses.
Instruct library users how to evaluate Web resources for academic research.
Employ state-of-the-art teaching methods.
Network with colleagues at other institutions regarding library instruction programs.

Assessments:

Number of annual enrollment data for Introduction to Library Research courses.
Number of students who complete instruction sessions.
Number of published articles relating to the library education program in the professional literature.
Number of contacts made relating to library instruction programs at professional meetings.

Objective 2.4: Demonstrate the need for the Libraries to receive top priority funding on campus.

Strategies:

Compare on an annual basis the funding for the Libraries with the Association of Research Libraries institution ranked number 50.
Lobby the university administration for funding to match the number 50 ranked Association of Research Libraries institution.

Assessments:

Association of Research Libraries rankings.
Amount of dollars budgeted to the Libraries increases annually.

Goal 3. Engagement: Build connections through library services that enhance the quality of campus and community life.

Critical Success Factors(measures of the degree of success over the next 5 years):

A comprehensive integrated marketing program.
A comprehensive outreach program.
Increase library services to the off-campus community.

Objectives:

Objective 3.1: Expand services and partnerships to serve individuals, institutions, communities throughout the region.

Strategies:

Develop and implement a plan for marketing services to the region.
Expand acquisitions programs to preserve the history, literature, and culture of Lubbock and the Southwest.
Promote use of collections and services in the region.
Develop educational materials and activities to assist outreach efforts.
Expand delivery service of materials through electronic and other means. Review cooperative borrowing agreements, and assist community users in accessing these services.

Assessments:

Number of regional users who utilize library collections and services.
Marketing plan.
Number of collections acquired.
Number of materials delivered to community users.
Number of extent of activities, materials, and programs.

Objective 3.2:Develop services and programs for the community and area libraries to fulfill the responsibilities of a regional government documents depository.

Strategies:

Determine community needs for Government Documents services.
Create and deliver programs and services that enhance access to Government Documents.
Offer training and workshops.

Assessments:

Number of government documents circulated and used in-house.
Number of people who attend Government Documents programs.
Number of programs conducted.

Objective 3.3: Promote the use of library resources and broaden diversity of users.

Strategies:

Increase contact with campus staff.
Encourage the public to use the Libraries.

Assessments:

Number of people who use the Libraries.
Number of students enrolled in Library courses.
Number of presentations and orientations.

Goal 4. Technology: Maximize the use of technology in the delivery of library services.

Critical Success Factors(measures of the degree of success over the next 5 years):

A new integrated library system
A 2-3 year replacement cycle for computer hardware.
The number of unique collections “published” on the Web.
A quality Internet presence.

Objectives:

Objective 4.1:Conduct 50% of business applications electronically to streamline operations.

Strategies:

Implement the electronic order and payment functions of the new integrated library system.
Implement data exchange between the library management system and the campus bursar system.
Implement electronic personnel and other operational forms.

Assessments:

Number of orders and payments processed electronically.
Level of manual entry into the campus bursar system.
Amount of internal paperwork.

Objective 4.2: Increase access to research materials and services by delivering them electronically.

Strategies:

Expand level of electronic delivery services.
Initiate real-time collaborative reference service via the Web and participate in the Collaborative Digital Reference Services program.
Employ technology to digitize, preserve, and provide access to finding aids, government documents, photographs, manuscripts, and other primary source materials.
Establish an electronic depository of Texas State Documents in conjunction with the Texas State Library and the University of North Texas.
Expand Geographical Information System services.
Provide ubiquitous access to electronic materials and services.

Assessments:

Number of reference questions answered electronically.
Number of items and collections digitized and preserved.
Amount of electronic materials and services.
Number of documents delivered electronically.

Objective 4.3: Provide a strong and flexible technical infrastructure.

Strategies:

Provide contemporary technology equipment and software for library patrons and staff.
Drive technology investment by strategic priorities, not by precedent or familiarity and level of comfort with a particular technology.
Use wireless and other technology to provide network access to library resources.
Plan for the integration of voice and advanced network technologies in collaboration with the Division of Information Technology.

Assessments:

Percent of uptime for all public workstations.
Percent of uptime for all servers.
Level of bandwidth for all network connections.

Goal 5. Partnerships: Build strategic library partnerships and alliances.

Critical Success Factors(measures of the degree of success over the next 5 years):

Increase relationships with national and regional library consortia, networks, and councils.
Increase relationships with national, regional, and local historical and educational organizations.
Support national and international groups in efforts to investigate new models for scholarly publishing.

Objectives:

Objective 5.1: Participate actively in cooperative agreements, consider new initiatives, and provide worldwide access to research.

Strategies:

Supply materials to partner institutions per cooperative agreements.
Request and obtain scholarly materials from partners to meet research needs of students and faculty.

Assessments:

Number of items supplied to institutional partners.
Number of items obtained for researchers.
Researchers’ survey.

Objective 5.2: Undertake cooperative collection development projects with peer institutions.

Strategies:

Determine priorities for cooperative collection development through interactions with peer institutions.
Write cooperative collection development plans.
Ensure that researchers have ready access to items acquired via the cooperative plans.

Assessments:

Number of items purchased via cooperative collection development.
Amount saved by cooperative purchasing.
Researchers’ survey.

Objective 5.3: Increase partnerships with academic departments in the sciences and humanities through the Natural History initiatives.

Strategies:

Disseminate information on the Natural History collections and projects.
Foster research initiatives with departments and faculty on campus.

Assessment:

Number of faculty and graduate students in the Natural History initiatives.

Objective 5.4: Increase activities undertaken in partnership with national, state, and regional historical, cultural, literary organizations and collections.

Strategies:

Support national and instructional initiatives to develop new models for scholarly publishing through memberships and participation in programs.
Forge new relationships.
Build cooperative relationships with local institutions and collectors sharing information.

Assessments:

Number of memberships and programs actively supported that are concerned with new models for scholarly publishing.
Number of visits and contacts with institutions and individual collectors.

Objective 5.5: Initiate programs that encourage 'K - L' learning from kindergarten throughout life.

Strategies:

Offer programs that bring the community to the Libraries for cultural, literary, and educational events.
Develop outreach programs and exhibits that highlight library collections.

Assessments:

Number of people attending programs.
Number of exhibits and programs.

Goal 6. Human Resources: Maintain a quality work force and work environment within the libraries.

Critical Success Factors(measures of the degree of success over the next 5 years):

Average faculty salary in the 3rd quartile of Association of Research Libraries salary rankings.
Retention rate for faculty and staff of 90%.
Increase number of Libraries staff.
Ongoing training for every employee.

Objectives:

Objective 6.1: Promote the personal and professional growth of faculty and staff.

Strategies:

Fund and produce in-house training and workshops for faculty and staff development.
Encourage faculty and key staff to attend professional conferences, meetings, seminars, and workshops; fund travel to continuing education opportunities.
Encourage cross-training to allow people to develop broader understandings and capabilities.
Facilitate the completion of college coursework or other educational pursuits for all employees by allowing flexible work schedules when possible.
Provide formalized support to encourage faculty to research and publish in their areas of expertise.

Assessments:

Number of staff development programs offered.
Number of staff participating in continuing education.
Number of cross-training opportunities provided.
Number of faculty and staff who are retained.
Number of faculty and staff who are promoted.
Number of professional conferences attended and association offices held.
Number of works written and papers presented.

Objective 6.2: Provide a safe and ergonomic workplace.

Strategies:

Evaluate and improve ergonomic and safety conditions in Library facilities on an ongoing basis; promptly correct problems as they are identified.
Train all library employees in safety and emergency procedures.

Assessments:

Number of injuries to library users and employees.
Number of repetitive stress injuries.

Objective 6.3: Recruit and support an excellent and diverse faculty and staff.

Strategies:

Monitor recruitment programs at other institutions through staff attendance at programs and workshops at professional meetings and “borrow” ideas that seem to work.
Develop a recruitment package that can be sent to job candidates and library schools and can be taken to professional conferences.
Maintain a two-year residency program to help recruit new faculty from under-represented groups.
Implement a scholarship program to enable staff from diverse backgrounds to complete a masters program in library or archival studies.
Increase the number of Libraries faculty and staff.
Provide competitive salaries and compensation packages.
Recruitment procedures/package developed and strengthened.

Assessments:

Number of resident participants who join the Libraries faculty.
Number of scholarship recipients who join the Libraries faculty.
Diversity among staff.

Goal 7. Tradition and Pride: Contribute to the establishment and continuation of traditions and to pride in our University.

Critical Success Factors(measures of the degree of success over the next 5 years):

Promote the unique and prestigious collections of the Libraries.
Expand the role of the Libraries in the preservation and promotion of Texas Tech traditions.

Objectives:

Objective 7.1:Host and participate in events that support campus traditions and interactions among members of the University community.

Strategies:

Host the annual Faculty/Staff Book Exhibit and recognition event.
Participate in International Week and other traditional Texas Tech events, hosting programs at the Libraries.
Develop Art in the Library programs that provide opportunities for the University and the community to appreciate the work of local writers and artists.

Assessments:

Number of events hosted.
Number of people who attend events.

Objective 7.2: Promote the holdings of the Libraries.

Strategies:

Develop traveling exhibits and in-house displays.
Create and enhance Web pages to highlight library collections.
Create outreach activities to highlight special collections, and encourage theiruse.
Feature and promote Texas Tech Research Web sites.

Assessments:

Number of people who attend traveling exhibit programs.
Number of visits to Web pages.
Number of in-house uses of Library collections.

Objective 7.3: Promote involvement in Texas Tech events and activities.

Strategies:

Utilize Libraries Web site to promote Texas Tech events, and to highlight Library participation.
Utilize University Library marquees to promote Texas Tech events.

Assessments:

Number of messages on marquees.
Number of Web site placements.

Goal 8. Institutional Advancement and Accountability: Strengthen library fiscal stability and public accountability.

Critical Success Factors(measures of the degree of success over the next 5 years):

Achieve an endowment of $5 million.
Conduct a Library-wide needs analysis for setting fund-raising priorities.
Partner with the Athletics Department for mutually beneficial fund-raising results and increased name recognition for the Libraries.

Objectives:

Objective 8.1: Fund various projects identified through a Library-wide needs analysis.

Strategies:

Analyze funding needs of each unit in the Libraries.
Prioritize needs and create lists of projects to be funded.

Assessments:

Number of projects funded.
Amount of annual funding.

Objective 8.2: Fund the collection enrichment and information technology endowments in the Libraries' CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) statement.

Strategies:

Identify potential donors or foundations that might have an interest in such endowments.
Prepare proposals and grant documents that address requirements of the selected funding entities.

Assessments:

Number of projects funded.
Amount of annual funding.

Objective 8.3: Pursue building naming opportunities and funding of endowed chairs and professorships.

Strategies:

Develop print materials and multimedia presentations to highlight these opportunities.
Disseminate information and approach potential donors.

Assessments:

Number of library buildings and rooms named.
Number of chairs and professorships endowed.

Objective 8.4: Fund identified projects through the Coach Bob Knight Library Fund.

Strategies:

Identify high-impact library projects with broad appeal and high visibility on campus to fund with Knight Fund donations.
Create publicity and organize recognition events to highlight Knight Fund achievements.

Assessment:

Amount of funding.