Libraries & Archives Strategic Plan

AY2025 Strategic Planning Initiatives

Initiative 1.1.1 Develop and execute sense of belonging-focused programs and events. 
Working Group Charge: Create a process and workflow for ideating, planning, partnering, staffing, executing, assessing, and (potentially) growing the funding for student-facing sense of belonging-focused events and programs. This group will recommend how this work will be operationalized into the day-to-day workflow for the Libraries & Archives. 

Initiative 1.2.1 Create choices for students that center affordability and address financial insecurity. 
Working Group Charge: Ideate and implement affordability-focused projects relevant to the work of the Libraries & Archives. For those projects that result in positive impact, this group will recommend how this work will be operationalized into the day-to-day workflow for the Libraries & Archives. 

Initiative 2.1.1 Transform the instruction program to prioritize high-impact practices and applied learning pedagogies that integrate metaliteracies with subject-based learning outcomes and incorporate our specialized technologies and collections (e.g. Kling Media Lab, makerspace, special collections, archives). 
Working Group Charge: Create and execute a plan to transition the Libraries & Archives’ instructional program, including identifying the learning outcomes, assessment tools, criteria for success, professional development needs, and changes to job descriptions that are required to do this work. The outcomes of this working group should then become the operational practice for our teaching activities. 

Initiative 2.3.1 Create a sustainable model for Libraries & Archives staff to be integral partners in digital scholarship teaching and research across our institutions, including digital humanities and data-focused services and curricula. 
Working Group Charge: Develop potential models for digital scholarship services provided by the Libraries & Archives. These models should include requirements for staffing, technology, and resources. For each model articulate strengths and weaknesses and, finally, make a recommendation for which model the Libraries & Archives should advocate. Additionally, create interim digital scholarship support information to share with faculty and students as more a comprehensive model is explored. 

Initiative 3.1.1 Expand the capabilities and use of the Clemens Library makerspace to create a low stakes environment in which students can explore ideas and innovate. (available technologies, open hours, student staffing, events and workshops, curricular integration) 
Working Group Charge: Implement a sustainable model for staffing, funding, and growing the technological capabilities and programming capacity of the makerspace. Additionally, develop a strategy for the greater inclusion of making into the curricula. 

Initiative 3.2.2 Experiment with growing the suite of creative technologies available to students as part of the Libraries & Archives technology lending program, including funding and supporting a “Library of Things.” 
Proposed Working Group Charge: Create a process and workflow for identifying and/or ideating lending technology needs and emerging trends. Propose strategies for growing the funding for purchasing technologies. This group will recommend how this work will be operationalized into the day-to-day workflow for the Libraries & Archives. 

Initiative 4.2.2 Explore the feasibility and applicability of emerging professional trends and practices that have the potential to advance the Libraries & Archives’ goals, e.g. controlled digital lending. 
Working Group Charge: Foster a think tank approach to problem solving by recommending the application of emerging trends, practices, and technologies to address pressing challenges to services and systems in the Libraries & Archives. 

Initiative 4.2.3 Evaluate and revise student employment practices within the Libraries & Archives to prioritize the deliberate development of transferable skills and embed student learning and reflection into the student employment experience. 
Working Group Charge: Develop a model for student employment that makes visible the transferable skills students attain through their work in the Libraries & Archives and encourages student reflection about how their work relates to their personal and professional goals. Create a strategy for operationalizing the model. 

Initiative 4.3.2 Create a comprehensive plan to assess the impact of the Libraries & Archives’ work that is mapped to institutional initiatives and key performance indicators. 
Working Group Charge: Develop a comprehensive plan for assessing the impact of the Libraries & Archives on student success and engagement. In consultation with working group leads and others throughout the Libraries & Archive, create criteria for success. Determine how data gathering and evaluation of that data will be operationalized into everyday practice. 

Initiative 4.3.3 Form a comprehensive marketing strategy for the Libraries & Archives that makes visible the opportunities which we provide and shares the impact of our work. 
Working Group Charge: Develop a comprehensive marketing plan with strategies customized to reach different audiences with different messages, e.g. students, potential students, faculty, administrators, institutional partners, and other library and archives professionals. Recommend how this work will be operationalized into Libraries & Archives workflows.  

Initiative 4.3.4 Establish a staff-led team that identifies challenges to Libraries & Archives’ employee wellness and proposes solutions to library administration that will mitigate those challenges. 
Working Group Charge: Create strategies to identify challenges to employee wellness and propose solutions to library administration that will mitigate those challenges.