Roadmap for Strategic Planning

(1) Preface

Strategic planning is cyclical and iterative. The process of strategic planning runs in cycles and repeats itself (albeit in new ways). The work of strategic planning is never finished. Strategic planning informs us of our destination; it alerts us to our environment; and it advises us how to get there. The end result of strategic planning is implementation and assessment, and then the process starts all over again.

(2) Mission Statement

The Library's mission statement contains the guiding principles for our strategic planning. The mission statement should be revised every few years.

(3) Key Staff

The Dean plays a major leadership role in every stage of strategic planning. Library Council, made up of key faculty, staff, and managers, is consulted throughout the process. The Assistant University Librarian for Research Services is responsible for coordinating the implementation and operational support of the library's strategic planning.

(4) Data Collection

During each new strategic initiative planning process Library Council gathers data from the following sources:

• Library "town hall" staff meetings and small staff focus groups
• Library Faculty Academic Planning Report
• Student focus groups
• Environmental scan of campus and community
• Internal statistics
• Annual reports from divisions in the library
• Quantitative and qualitative surveys (e.g., LibQual)
• Literature reviews to determine national and international trends
• Consultation with Senate Faculty Library Committee
• Awareness of campus goals and objectives

(5) Formulation of Goals

Based on data collection, Library Council (the Dean's primary advisory group within the Library) formulates strategic goals.

(6) Task Forces and Planning Reports

The Dean, in consultation with Library Council, appoints task forces to create planning reports based on the previously formulated strategic goals. These planning reports, which describe at length the goals and set objectives to reach these goals, also recommend priorities in terms of goal implementation.

(7) Implementation

Once Library Council accepts the planning reports, the Dean, after wide consultation inside and outside the library, sets priorities and implementation goals based on the planning reports. The Dean then appoints implementation groups to bring strategic goals to fruition.

(8) Assessment

Assessment takes place through a variety of means, including informal feedback through the website form; formal self-assessment by librarians, staff, and committees; outside consultants; and formal surveys like LibQual.

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