2018-2023 Strategic Plan – Part 4, Strategic Areas 3-5

My last three posts have detailed the new mission and vision of the McGraw-Page Library, as well as the values and priorities that guide our decision-making, and our first two Strategic Areas. This month wraps up this series with a focus on Strategic Areas 3-5.

Library staff have met to discuss the timeline of when we want to accomplish these tasks over the next five years, and have also assigned an individual who is responsible for ensuring that progress is being made on these goals. The Library is working to develop an assessment plan, which, when done, will work with our strategic plan to ensure we are making appropriate progress.

As with any strategic plan, these goals are based on our understanding of our current environment. The specific objectives or goals may change if conditions (e.g., staffing, building, budget) change significantly.

Our Strategic Areas, Goals, and Objectives

III. Strengthen Special Collections & Archives.

1. Improve discoverability of special collections and archive materials
   1. Create online finding aids that can be linked to Worldcat and our catalog
   2. Use online tools to highlight specific collections
2. Prioritize digitization projects
   1. Finalize naming conventions, file organization, and workflow for digitizing SC&A materials
   2. Digitize R-MC Yearbooks
   3. Create an online exhibits commemorating the 150th anniversary of the College’s move to Ashland
   4. Identify other discrete digitization projects that will meet either a preservation and/or a promotion goal
3. Improve housing and storage of existing collections to ensure their long-term preservation

IV. Increase engagement between the campus community and the library.

1. Raise awareness of library resources, services, and events
   1. Establish consistent use of social media, posters, the library website, R-MC Life, and other tools as appropriate
2. Engage campus users through a variety of means
   1. Establish relationships with new students
   2. Market staff expertise
3. Launch and continue workshops, events, speakers, etc., that will forward the library’s goals, in partnership with others on campus where possible
   1. Student events that promote research support, specific resources, etc.
   2. Faculty events (e.g., scholar’s retreat)

V. Enhance our organizational effectiveness.

1. Ensure that all staff positions are aligned with our strategic priorities
2. Encourage and support professional development among library staff
3. Highlight the Library’s role in student recruitment, retention, and success
4. Improve communication internally (library-to-library) and externally (library-to-campus)
   1. Send regular library updates to library staff
   2. Communicate changes in hours to the campus
   3. Communicate new services, resources, events, etc., to campus
5. Develop an assessment plan to inform decision making