University Libraries Strategic Plan, 2003-04

UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES STRATEGIC PLAN
2003-04

The University of Alabama

Progress as of January 1, 2004

LIBRARY MISSION

As The University of Alabama's principal locus of information services, University Libraries strives for excellence in advancing the University's teaching, research, and outreach programs by anticipating information needs, providing access to resources, and promoting effective use of information by students, faculty, and staff.

UNIVERSITY PRIORITIES

CORRESPONDING LIBRARY GOALS

Achieve more active learning
Create a new Generation of Leaders
Promote interdisciplinary research
Embrace a global perspective
Maintain and enhance a beautiful and safe campus
Enhance the integrity and tradition of our athletic programs
Create a more vibrant residential campus
Enhance the functionality of our physical facilities
Continue to recruit and develop a renowned faculty and a highly trained and experienced staff
Achieve an adequate resource base

Library goals A, B, C, D, E, F
Library goals A, B, C, D, E, F
Library goals A, B, C, D, E, F
Library goals A, B, C, D, E, F
Library goal D
Library goals A, F
Library goals A, B, C, D, E, F
Library goals A, D, E, H
Library goal G
Library goal H

LIBRARY PRIORITIES

to accomplish our mission and in support of University priorities

User-centered service
Access to information resources
Visibility through outreach and partnerships
Professional development
Advancement
Virtual library
Quality improvement

LIBRARY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goal A
Anticipate, identify, and respond to users' needs and expectations

Conduct user surveys [LSAG/LMC]

— Qtr. 1: The university libraries will participate in the 2004 LibQUAL+ survey.
— Qtr. 2: A new group in the Libraries will be responsible for user surveys.

Evaluate participation in 2004 LibQUAL+ survey [LSAG]
— Qtr. 1: The university libraries will participate in the 2004 LibQUAL+ survey.
— Qtr. 2: The University libraries will participate in the 2004 LibQUAL+ survey.
Explore ways to support the needs of new faculty and new emphases, including investigating funding partnerships with academic departments [Dean/Henderson/Selectors]

— Qtr. 1: Dean is currently exploring collaborative projects with College of Human Environmental Sciences.
— Qtr. 2: Two new SLIS faculty appointed to DTB Online advisory committee
Identify new degree programs under consideration and evaluate their potential requirements for the library [Dean/Henderson/Selectors]
Identify a mechanism that encourages and permits all Libraries faculty and staff to become better informed of services and programs in place at other research libraries [LMC/Dean's Council]

— Qtr.1: No progress. Discuss appropriate group for this objective.
— Qtr.2: This item will be placed on a regular basis on the LMC agenda. Reports presented by individuals who have traveled with administrative funding.

Evaluate the café in Gorgas Library and determine the potential for cafés in other libraries [Deason/Fields/Simpson/Pike/Sandy/Visscher]

— Qtr. 1: No progress. Plan to implement formal evaluation after October when patron traffic for semester can be more clearly established. Informal evaluation of Gorgas occurs on a daily basis. Discussions with Aramark staff occur at least weekly to gain input and to improve services.

— Qtr. 2: No progress.
Plan and implement productivity software and multimedia capability on public computers in Gorgas Library followed by Rodgers and McLure libraries [Croneis/Fields/Systems/Sandy/Visscher]

— Qtr. 1: Addition of productivity software is planned for inclusion in the re-imaging for public workstations scheduled for fall. Decisions relating to inclusion of multimedia capability on public workstations should wait for completion of the project to extend such capability to staff workstations and analysis of the impact this has on the library network. Initial meeting to identify user needs to be scheduled in October.
— Qtr. 2: Reimaging of staff workstations continues. Group identified user needs for multimedia capabilities. Addition of productivity and multimedia software will be included in the reimaging of public workstations scheduled for spring 2004.

Fully implement wireless capability in all library buildings [Deans/Systems/Seebeck]

— Qtr. 1: Seebeck reports that this is complete as of September 2003. The Systems Office has not yet tested the affected facilities to determine whether coverage is complete. It should also be noted that Systems is not able to provide direct support for public use of the wireless network, because of the variety of hardware/software configurations that the public may present, because of the time that such an obligation would require, and also because of liability issues if users' machines are adversely affected by recommended changes. Users can be referred to the Libraries' "How Do I . . .?" web page: http://www.lib.ua.edu/help/wireless.shtml for assistance.
— Qtr. 2: This objective is complete. Wiring and other network enhancements were installed and tested during fall 2003. Additional wireless laptops have been acquired and are in the process of being configured for use in McLure, Rodgers, and Hoole--in place in early spring 2004.

Goal B
Ensure that the Libraries' collections enhance the University's teaching, research, diversity, and cultural programs

Examine collections budget to allow flexibility to respond to local need and changes in scholarly communication and realign, as appropriate [Henderson/Selectors]
— Qtr. 1: FY04 materials budgeting in process. Pilot project to determine need for duplicate print/electronic journal subscriptions underway; titles identified for deferred renewal, providing flexibility in collections budget. Partnered with several consortia to benefit from consortial pricing and to develop other cost-effective strategies for managing and providing access to collections.
— Qtr. 2: FY 04 materials budgeting completed. Pilot project implemented to determine need for duplicate print/electronic journal subscriptions. Through NAAL consortium renegotiated favorable terms for renewal of ScienceDirect.
Continue to develop collections that are responsive to the University's centers for excellence and that strengthen graduate and undergraduate programs and promote interdisciplinary faculty research [Henderson/Selectors ]
— Qtr. 1: Collections reviews done in consultation with faculty; newly-hired electronic resources acquisitions librarian working on refining current procedures for the review and evaluation of all electronic resources annually before renewal; funds to be allocated for third year to support new faculty; selectors identified needed resources, which were purchased with one-time funds.
— Qtr. 2: Collections review done in consultation with faculty; electronic resources acquisitions librarian has begun implementing revisions to procedures for review and evaluation of all electronic resources annually before renewals and has begun compiling monthly use statistics on electronic resources, which will be mounted on intranet.
Develop and implement a plan for the cataloging backlog (as described in Backlog Inventory, January 2003) [Catalog/Selectors]
— Qtr. 1: Descriptive cataloging records of all current theses and dissertations have been added to the public catalog; generic call numbers will be used for each degree-granting program instead of selecting a subject specific call number. Over the summer months the copy catalogers returned to Hoole to work on the Wade Hall and rare book collections.
— Qtr. 2: Generic call numbers are being assigned to theses and dissertations [ongoing]. Training began for a Hoole staff member to help process Wade Hall and Rare Book materials [ongoing]. FastCat moved to Acquisitions Dept. on November 3, 2003 [completed and ongoing].
Implement newspaper project [Henderson/Newspaper Committee]
— Qtr. 1: Titles have been identified. Confirming available funding.
— Qtr. 2: Endowment funding identified for project will not be available before February. Some identified titles have been purchased from replacement funds.
Develop a preservation and conservation policy statement [Center/Henderson]
— Qtr. 1: No progress.
— Qtr. 2: Statement to be referred to LMC at that group's next meeting.
Investigate and evaluate options for expediting the ongoing processing of library materials [Catalog/Acquisitions/Selectors]
— Qtr. 1: FastCat will be moving into the Acquisitions Department in mid-October, after the new fiscal year has begun.
Strive for library component in funded research grants and research centers [Dean]
— Qtr. 1: VP for Research position will not be filled until 11/03.
— Qtr. 2: Discussion in progress; this issue will not be resolved quickly.
Ensure the timely expenditure of gift and endowment income [Henderson/Selectors]
— Qtr. 1: With the exception of 3-4 funds, funds expended or plan in place to expend. Working to develop plans that assure expenditure of all funds.
— Qtr. 2: In progress.
Establish policy and criteria for the ongoing transfer of materials to the Library Annex [Henderson/Selectors/Acquisitions]
— Qtr. 1: Not yet started.
— Qtr. 2: In draft.
Expand the EDI process [Holley/Hill]
— Qtr. 1: Acquisitions is gathering information on other vendors that use EDI in ordering, invoicing, and claiming, but no new accounts have been established. MARC records with embedded order data from foreign-language vendors were received this summer. Systems is still investigating Voyager capability for dealing with these records.
— Qtr. 2: No progress.
Establish guidelines for transferring materials from the Library Annex to the on-site collections [Henderson/Selectors]
— Qtr. 1: Not yet completed.
— Qtr. 2: In draft.

Goal C
Offer excellent information services with an emphasis on expanding virtual library resources and services

Increase title access to currently available electronic journals and also to all other formats which are received after July 1, 2003 [Catalog/Systems/Cataloging Advisory Group]
— Qtr. 1: Profile completed, vendor selected, test files reviewed for providing title-level access to most of the electronic journals. The recent contract for expanded services from Serials Solutions includes capability for title, title keyword, and broad subject heading access to electronic journals. Web pages linking to this service were added to the Libraries' website in August. Test MARC records for loading into Voyager have been received and tested; when revised records are received, they will be loaded within a week, probably by 13 Oct 2003.
— Qtr. 2: Serials Solutions began providing MARC records for electronic journals in October, with updates every other month [ongoing].
Explore options for expansion of virtual reference [Croneis]
— Qtr. 1: Completed. Participating in ASERL Virtual Reference Project for FY04, a multi-institution consortial effort to cooperatively provide virtual reference services. Participation will enable each institution to extend hours of operation, share responsibilities for marketing, and learn more about user behavior, services, demands, and costs.
— Qtr. 2: Jennifer McClure appointed as UA's representative on the ASERL Virtual Reference Project Steering Committee that has been busy working on policies, procedures, marketing, and other topics. The consortial "Ask- A-Librarian" service is to be operational among the eleven libraries on January 21, 2004.
Utilize enhancements in campus network infrastructure to support both audio- and video-streaming [Systems]
— Qtr. 1: Network infrastructure enhancements completed in September 2003. Plans underway to include Windows Media, QuickTime, RealMedia, and other media streaming software in the planned re-imaging of staff workstations. Distribution of this image will begin in October 2003. A policy for staff use of media streaming capability in under development.
— Qtr. 2: Next reimaging of public workstations will include the above capability as well.
Identify future digitization projects and associated implementation needs [Digital Projects Task Force]
— Qtr. 1: Task Force developed the following action plan and began implementing it.
1. Develop a mechanism to gather ideas for potential digitization projects.
2. Gather ideas and information on possible digitization projects from faculty, staff, and students in academic programs, centers, libraries, and other areas across campus.
3. Compile suggestions and develop list of potential digitization projects.
4. Review the list of potential digitization projects, identifying priorities, partner(s), and associated implementation needs for the projects individually and as a group.
5. Report the review results and post on Libraries' intranet.
6. Recommend a procedure for keeping the list and information current.
— Qtr. 2: Task Force delayed implementation of the action plan when IMLS announced that UA had been awarded a three-year (2003-06) grant, Digital Trade Bindings Online (DTBOnline): The Art and Craft of Decorative Trade Bindings, 1815-1930. Since September, the Task Force has focused its energies on the grant start up with our partners at the University of Wisconsin.
Explore issues pertaining to establishing an ongoing digital program [Digital Projects
Task Force]
— Qtr. 1: Task Force developing action plan.
— Qtr. 2: Task Force delayed development of the action plan so that it could continue work on the IMLS Cornerstone Grant and also start up the IMLS Bindings Grant.
Improve tracking of use of electronic resources and apply data to collection decisions [Sears/Holley/Selectors]
— Qtr. 1: Building an electronic resource management database, which will be accessible online to library staff and will include scanned licenses and invoices. Next quarter anticipating Serials Solutions' "overlap functionality" feature, which will run reports of journal titles that UA is purchasing from multiple aggregators. Investigating supplemental ways of collecting usage data, in conjunction with traditional vendor reports.
— Qtr. 2: Continuing with goals set last quarter. Actively maintaining monthly search statistics for UA databases, which will be available in the intranet this quarter.
Maximize ongoing development and maintenance of Web presence and plan for the re-design of the Web site [Ballard/Web Site Committee]
—Qtr. 1: Quarterly check on links for entire website; notification of appropriate individuals. Examples of updates to Web pages: Gorgas Library Instruction, finding scholarly journal articles, library floor plans in Gorgas, library hours. Also additions and updates on intranet.
--Worked with colleagues to develop Web pages for international students and current students. Other new Web pages added: group instruction in Gorgas, Internet and research tutorials, SLIS GA virtual job fair, information page for Media Services Librarian candidates.
--Oversaw design of graphics for redesign.
— Qtr. 2: Libraries website and intranet: Web pages added for two distance education courses, updated & new Business Office forms, subject guides based on handouts from Libraries' speaker during Cuba conference, Library Innovation Grants, UA CLIR Post-Doctoral Fellowship, and Digital Media Lab TF.
--Site redesign: Decision about general appearance; development space on a Libraries' server available by end of January; roll-out of redesigned Libraries website at end of spring semester 2004.
Begin the technical implementation and configuration of ENCompass [Systems]
— Qtr. 1: There are three parts of the EnCompass system: federating searching of databases, LinkFinder Plus, and digital content management.
--Configuration of federating searching functionality began July 2003. Plan to have a draft version ready for review by Spring 2004.
--Data for loading into LinkFinder Plus was acquired as part of recent contract with Serials Solutions. Testing and loading is currently planned for Fall 2003; configuration to follow.
--Systems staff training on administration of the digital content management portion of the system will take place in October or November 2003.
— Qtr. 2: Data has been loaded into LinkFinder Plus and testing continues. Implementation will be coordinated with roll-out of federated searching capability.
--Digital content management portion of system is currently in use and development with Cornerstone Project and will be made public according to the scheduling of that project.

Goal D
Promote and develop the libraries as research and learning centers

Promote the libraries as venues for various cultural events including lectures, book talks, readings, exhibits, and performances [Department Heads]
— Qtr. 2: The Libraries hosted three events.
Modify space and purchase necessary equipment to accommodate cultural events and meetings [Dean's Council/LMC]
— Qtr. 1:Additional soft seating on order. Exhibit cases on order. Speakers scheduled. Design Group is searching for a location to be modified and equipped for use as flexible meeting space.
— Qtr. 2:Space assessment for Gorgas & McLure to be completed by 3/5/04.
Create and implement plan for effective use of areas in Gorgas Library affected by the Annex move [Deason/Ragsdale/Design Group]
— Qtr. 1: Plan for survey to evaluate use of shelving and availability of shelving in all libraries. Plans in place for moving metal shelving in second floor east reading room to third floor east reading room. Discussion and tentative plans for removal of some of the shelving on 4M to provide larger corridor (north to south) on that floor.
— Qtr.2: Space analysis is underway.
Following the completion of April 2003 transfer of materials to the Library Annex, accomplish shifting, problem-solving, and database clean-up [Simpson/Pike/Sandy/Visscher/Bace]
— Qtr. 1: Shifting, problem-solving, and database clean-up are well underway.
— Qtr. 2: Shifting of materials is underway in all libraries; database clean-up is progressing nicely.
Develop procedures for the ongoing transfer of materials to the Library Annex [Simpson/Bace]
— Qtr. 1: Procedures have not yet been developed because materials other than those originally slated for the Annex are not being moved.
— Qtr. 2: Future growth estimates for Gorgas & McLure in progress. Existing procedures for changing item location will be used for transferring items to Annex; procedures for physical transfer of items to Annex have been developed. These two sets of procedures will be merged into one document for Annex materials.
Assess hours of operation, staffing, and resources availability [Dean's Council/LMC]
Seize opportunities for publicizing library services [Dean's Council/LMC]
—Qtr. 1: Letter to all incoming freshmen and their families in August. CW and Dialog articles appeared in September. CW ads appearing weekly during fall semester.
Add four group study rooms in Gorgas Library and explore group study areas in McLure Library [Deason/Visscher/Croneis]
— Qtr. 1: Group study rooms in Gorgas complete (tables and chairs will be refinished during fall semester); furniture and room dividers ordered for group study room in McLure.
— Qtr. 2: Completed.
More effectively use exhibit cases in Gorgas Library to highlight library services and resources [All]
Complete construction of combined services desk and staff work areas on second floor in Gorgas Library [Deason/Ragsdale/Simpson]
— Completed.
Provide self-checkout system in Gorgas Library [Deason/Simpson/Systems]
— Qtr. 1: Equipment has been delivered to Systems. Changes in patron record data load are currently being negotiated with Seebeck Systems Development department and Action Card administrators. Full implementation is expected before the end of Fall 2003, probably October or November.
— Qtr. 2: Equipment and furniture will be installed by 01/31/04.
Plan digital media lab for students in Gorgas Library [Dean/Croneis]
—Qtr. 1: In progress.
—Qtr. 2: Construction in progress--projected completion middle of February; staff hired; Equipment and furniture ordered; promotion plan developed.
Transfer nursing component (management, collections, and services) from the College of Community Health Sciences to University Libraries [Dean/Edwards/Rodgers Library/Cataloging]
—Qtr. 1: Completed

Goal E
Expand and promote outreach and instructional services

Expand Web-based outreach and instructional projects and add counters to measure use [Instruction Librarians Group]
— Qtr. 1: Library Instruction and Information Services pages updated. Catalog tutorial added to Libraries Web site http://www.lib.ua.edu/services/instruction/tutorials/catalog/
Draft study guides for music and religion posted to the Web http://www.bama.ua.edu/~mafields/MusResearch.doc and http://www.bama.ua.edu/~mafields/REL112.doc
— Qtr. 2: Revising EN 102 instruction to include more information literacy. Added Web pages for Nutrition 105/305 and Nursing 522; linked to WebCT class component.
More fully incorporate information literacy into existing instruction programs [Instruction Librarians Group]
— Qtr. 1: Continuing to incorporate hands-on practice in instruction sessions; waiting for installation of productivity software in Osburn Center before additional techniques can be incorporated.
— Qtr. 2: No change.
Expand the number of instruction sessions and the students and faculty reached through these sessions [Instruction Librarians Group/Selectors]
— Qtr. 1: July-August sessions were down approximately 20% and number of participants was down approximately 36% from last year; do not yet have September statistics.
— Qtr. 2: (Waiting for figures)
Continue apprising faculty of library services, including electronic resources [Selectors]
— Qtr. 1: Newly-hired electronic resources acquisitions librarian will be developing ways to enhance current methods and will be developing additional methods of apprising faculty.
— Qtr. 2: Electronic resources acquisitions librarian is developing ways to enhance current methods and will be developing additional methods of apprising faculty, including a more visible link on the Libraries' website.
Evaluate and implement, as appropriate, recommendations outlined in the final report of the Outreach Task Force [Dean/Croneis]
— Qtr. 1: Deferred.
Implement productivity software and multimedia capability on staff computers, as identified [LMC/Systems]
— Qtr. 1: Deferred.The Dreamweaver suite of software has been installed in the latest upgrade and will be included in the ongoing XP upgrades. See related objective under Goal C above.
— Qtr. 2: See related objective under goal C above.
Increase hands-on instruction areas in Gorgas Library [Fields/Croneis/Systems]
— Qtr. 1: No progress. Design Group and Systems do not recall what was intended regarding this objective.
— Qtr. 2: Fields and Deason began planning a revision of space on ground floor of Gorgas which could result in making more hands-on space available.

Goal F
Explore and foster partnerships

Pursue opportunities for collaboration with units on campus, such as the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Athletic Department [Deans]
— Qtr. 1: In progress.
— Qtr. 2: Outreach for Athletic Department established; library instruction being planned for academic tutors; room dedicated to library research with assistantship will be included in the renovated Bryant Hall which will reopen in January 2005.
Explore opportunities for library instruction in the renovated Bryant Hall complex, living-learning centers, and other campus venues [Deans]
— Qtr. 1: Brett Spencer testing on-site services with Criminal Justice.
Position the libraries for active participation in regional and national collaborative efforts [Deans]
— Qtr. 1: Dean appointed to CLIR Scholars in Libraries Steering Committee. University Libraries one of 15 CLIR partners to offer post-doctoral fellowships.
— Qtr. 2: UA Libraries was lead institution in NAAL negotiations with Reed-Elsevier for ScienceDirect license.

Goal G
Expand opportunities for professional development for all library employees

Prepare and begin implementing a comprehensive staff development and training program, including such topics as management, customer service, and Web technologies [Wright/Staff Development Advisory Group]
— Qtr. 1: Training modules being incorporated into plan for job family.
— Qtr. 2: Session on customer service. Assorted brochures are available on outside vendor offerings. Communicated information about available sessions on supervisory skills and front desk management.
Collaborate with UA training department for opportunities for training Library employees [Wright]
— Qtr. 1: Have had session on performance evaluation; future sessions planned. Consulted on job family modules.
— Qtr. 2: UA trainer conducted performance evaluation session; consulted with UA training staff on available modules to include in job family program.
Expand opportunities for development training with outside vendors [Wright/Staff Development Advisory Group]
— Qtr. 1: Brought in CareerTrack to do customer service; have recommended others as appropriate. Maintain file of brochures.
— Qtr. 2: See above.
Continue to arrange for SOLINET (and possibly others) to offer one or more of their training programs in Tuscaloosa [Wright/Staff Development Advisory Group]
— Qtr. 1: Three sessions planned for November on cataloging topics.
— Qtr. 2: Hosted sessions in spring and fall 2003
Encourage library faculty to more actively participate and provide leadership within the profession [Dean's Council/LMC]
— Qtr. 2: Library faculty are chairing committees and are publishing in the field.
Maintain adequate administrative travel funding [Dean]
— Qtr. 1: New options to maintain funding under review.
— Qtr. 2: Funding continues to exceed requests. Administrative travel guidelines approved.
Design a job family program for Libraries' staff [Wright/Staff Development Advisory Group]
— Qtr. 1: Work continues, have proposed structure. Investigating training modules. Expanded Staff Development group to accommodate more areas.
— Qtr. 2: Preliminary report available by the end of January
Identify sources of funding for implementation of job family program for Libraries' staff [Dean's Council]
— Qtr. 2: $75,000 identified in list of priorities established in fall 2003.
Evaluate the role and composition of the Staff Development Advisory Group [Wright/Deans]
— Qtr. 1: Added two more staff for the job family project; will evaluate at end of this project.
— Qtr. 2: Not yet done.

Goal H
Strengthen development and advancement activities

Continue to advocate that all future endowments for new chairs and professorships include funding for library resources [Dean]
— Qtr. 1: Continuing.
— Qtr. 2: Continuing.
Work with the Office of the President to identify opportunities for funding for the renovation of Gorgas Library [Dean]
— Qtr. 2: Planning for Capital Campaign underway. Gorgas renovation to be included.
Continue to focus on major gift fundraising, annual fundraising, and volunteer board development [Dean]
— Qtr. 1: Visits to prospects scheduled. Annual Fund mailing list increased from 250 names to 1,000+.
— Qtr. 2: Annual Fund mailing list increased from 250 in FY03 to 1,500+ in FY04. More than 50% of annual fund gifts in FY04 from first- time donors.
Ensure best practices for stewardship of endowment and gifts incomes [Deans/Department Heads/Selectors]
Seek gifts, including gifts-in-kind, for all library collections [Development Officer]
— Qtr. 1: Consultant hired and gifts-in-kind received.
— Qtr. 2: Consultant continues to identify and receive gifts-in-kind.
Continue to position the Libraries to be included in the next capital campaign [Dean]
— Qtr. 1: Discussions with Provost and University Advancement Office continue.
— Qtr. 2: Discussion with Interim VP for Advancement underway; dean drafting case study; dean working with Library Leadership Board.

Goal I
Achieve quality improvement in all aspects of library management and services

Analyze results of 2003 LibQUAL+ and other user surveys and incorporate findings into management practices [LSAG/LMC]
— Qtr. 1: LibQUAL+ results for 2003 have been received and will shortly be distributed to Dean's Council and LMC
— Qtr. 2: This objective will be the responsibility of a new group within the Libraries.
Identify and test library accountability and performance indicators as required by the University [Deans]
— Qtr. 1: Dean developing indicators with library deans at UAB and UAH.
— Qtr. 2: Dean's Council and LMC reviewing indicators; how to count e-use under evaluation.

Plan completed: May 6, 2003
Revisions in plan; first quarter progress update: October 7, 2003
Second quarter progress update: January 21, 2004