Langsdale Library, University of Baltimore

LANGSDALE LIBRARY STRATEGIC PLAN
FY 2006-2008

MISSION STATEMENT: Langsdale Library supports the curriculum, research, and information needs of the University community by ensuring information literacy, acquiring appropriate materials and electronic resources, providing access to such materials and resources, and developing the collections and resources necessary to document the changes in the Baltimore region in the post World War II period.

VISION STATEMENT: Langsdale Library will be a major contributor to the University’s teaching and learning mission by providing state-of-the-art technology and superior resources and education in an anytime/anywhere environment, and serve as the major regional repository for post World War II Baltimore regional history.

INTRODUCTION

Langsdale Library will confront a variety of challenges in the near future. They are, in turn, driven by broader changes in the use of technology, expectations regarding information access and information literacy, and the changing expectations of the University community. The impact of the accelerating pace of technological change on the delivery of information resources and instruction; a University strategic plan that impacts the function and services of the Library; demands for a University-wide, assessable information literacy program; and the University’s increased emphasis on accountability, will all affect the resource allocations and priorities of the Library. In addition, each of these challenges occurs in an environment that increasingly demands anytime, anywhere access to Library resources and services. The Library is committed to expanding our in-house resources and services and to leveraging resources through our consortium relationship with the other libraries in the University System of Maryland (USM) Libraries, the USM Information Technology Division, and nearby libraries, to meet these challenges. This strategic plan establishes the goals and objectives necessary to meet these challenges.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goal 1: The Library will maximize the ability of the University community to use the various materials and resources of the Library by establishing an information literacy plan for the University.

  • Objective 1: The Library will identify the needed components of an effective information literacy program and present a plan for implementation of such a program for University approval by December, 2005.
  • Objective 2: The Library will develop a plan for continually assessing the information literacy skills of the members of the University community to guide future information literacy goals and programs by December, 2005.
  • Objective 3: The Library will work with the Yale Gordon College of Liberal Arts, the Merrick School of Business, and the University Assessment Committee to identify core courses for inclusion and a pilot information literacy program by December, 2005.
  • Objective 4: The Library will review the staffing needs for its information literacy program and pursue additional staff, as needed.
  • Objective 5: The Library will regularly review the materials and resources of the Library to determine the need for training and education.
  • Objective 6: The Library will actively promote its training and educational activities to the University community to maximize the community’s participation in such activities.
  • Objective 7: The Library will provide information literacy services in both online and distance education courses.

Goal 2: The Library will develop appropriate policies for the acquisition of needed resources, the elimination of unneeded resources, and the strengthening of cooperative relationships with other institutions in the area to maximize access to current and usable information materials.

  • Objective 1: The Library will give priority to acquiring information in electronic or other formats that enable anytime/anywhere access to users.
  • Objective 2: The Library will closely monitor existing, new, and eliminated programs and classes to ensure that Library resources and programs meet the need of existing and anticipated academic programs.
  • Objective 3: The Library will work closely with faculty and University administrators to ensure that the Library will meet existing and anticipated demands on services and resources.
  • Objective 4: The Library will work closely with the other USM libraries to maximize the cost-effectiveness of providing materials and services through consortial purchasing and other cooperative ventures.
  • Objective 5: The Library will regularly review its materials and resources with USM holdings to avoid duplication of materials and resources, except when such materials are considered of special value to the University community when held on site.
  • Objective 6: The Library will establish an ongoing collection management program for both the addition of needed material and the elimination of unneeded material. This process will include annual reviews of monograph circulation figures.
  • Objective 7: The Library will conduct annual reviews of its electronic resources to ensure they meet the existing needs of the University community.
  • Objective 8: Whenever possible, the Library will coordinate activities with other USM libraries to ensure that the needs of the system as well as the University are met.
  • Objective 9: A core value of the collection management process will be to ensure the acquisition of a wide variety of resources and perspectives on research topics.
  • Objective 10: The Library will seek to strengthen and expand cooperative relationships with other area libraries to enhance access to regional information resources and services.

Goal 3: The Library will become an intellectual commons for the University by providing physical and virtual opportunities to share information, knowledge, and diverse perspectives on issues.

  • Objective 1: The Library will establish partnerships with faculty to design effective learning activities at the University.
  • Objective 2: The Library will create appropriate space to maximize the interaction between members of the University community and access to information.
  • Objective 3: The Library will sponsor regular programs focusing on current intellectual, political, social, and cultural issues.

Goal 4: The Library will create a culture of assessment across all units.

  • Objective 1: The Library will establish a plan and schedule for regular assessment and benchmarking activities by December, 2005.
  • Objective 2: The Library will conduct regular reviews of existing assessment tools and activities and train staff in the implementation of both existing and uniquely developed resources for assessing services.
  • Objective 3: The Library will use the findings of its assessment activities to improve existing services and develop new services.
  • Objective 4: The Library will annually report its assessment findings to the appropriate University administrators and offices.
  • Objective 5: The Library will participate in University-wide assessment activities to ensure compatibility with University assessment activities and goals
  • Objective 6: The Library will identify the needs of constituents through the use of regular surveys and consultations.
  • Objective 7: The Library will conduct a biennial survey of the University community to guide acquisition and instruction activities, with the first survey in the Spring, 2006.

Goal 5: The Library will work with the University to attempt to establish a set fund base for Library purchases and to establish a plan for regular ongoing increases in funding.

  • Objective 1: The Library will provide the University with an annual financial plan that will include expenditures for materials, equipment, staff, and electronic resources and projections for such expenditures.
  • Objective 2: The Library will work with the University administration and faculty to develop procedures that ensure that all course, curriculum, and program changes include a realistic evaluation of the potential financial impact on the Library.
  • Objective 3: The Library will work with the offices of Sponsored Research, Institutional Development, and other University offices to identify and obtain additional sources of financial support for appropriate Library functions, services, and materials.
  • Objective 4: The Library will establish a grant committee with the goal of winning at least one significant grant per year to enhance collections and services by September, 2005.

Goal 6: The Library will strengthen its service to the Baltimore region and the study of regional issues.

  • Objective 1: The Library’s Special Collection department will work closely with University centers, programs, and institutes to develop community-based interdisciplinary courses and programs and to determine appropriate local-history materials for addition to the collection to support such courses and programs.
  • Objective 2: The Library will establish cooperative working relationships with area libraries and other organizations to strengthen its knowledge of, and material pertaining to, local organizations, individuals, and issues.
  • Objective 3: The Library will review current staffing in the light of the continuing addition of collections and recommend revised staffing levels as appropriate.

Goal 7: The Library will develop an innovative marketing plan to students, faculty, alumni, and the community.

  • Objective 1: The Library staff will continue to seek support and funding of a new Library as the major means for creating a place that maximizes its potential as a learning and teaching resource and to maximize its attractiveness and usefulness to the University community and to potential students, faculty, and staff.
  • Objective 2: The Library will identify opportunities for training of students, faculty, and staff through the use of regular consultations and surveys.
  • Objective 3: The Library will promote library resources and services through the use of its online newsletter, the Langsdale Link, regular contact with faculty, students, and staff, and by other means.
  • Objective 4: The Library will actively plan and seek funding for the creation of a physical space that is comfortable and inviting for users.
  • Objective 5: The Library will promote ongoing development of staff to provide quality customer service to its users.
  • Objective 6: The Library will develop or modify its existing plan in accord with the findings of such surveys.

Goal 8: The Library will foster a culture of professional growth and development for all staff.

  • Objective 1: The Library will encourage staff to seek out and identify areas for development through the sponsorship of appropriate workshops, training, and teleconferences, and support for staff attendance at such activities.
  • Objective 2: The Library administration will regularly review Library activities to identify areas of needed staff development.
  • Objective 3: The Library will commit the resources necessary to provide successful staff development within budget realities and will seek increased funding for such activities.

Rev. 6/20/05