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Staff & Administration • Library Documents

Strategic Directions, 2002 - 2005

“The purpose of a library is not to cut costs or to showcase new gadgetry or to serve as a mausoleum for books fallen into desuetude; rather, it is to make possible that instant of insight when all the facts come together in the shape of new knowledge.” - Eric Ormsby, “The battle of the book: the research library today.” The New Criterion, October 2001: 4-16

The University of Waterloo Library contributes to the achievement of the goals of the University of Waterloo by providing dynamic and innovative resource access and service that supports the learning, teaching, and research needs of the University community. The broad knowledge and skill of staff teams support university educational activities. The quality of Library services is enhanced through partnerships within and outside the University of Waterloo. In the pursuit of its mission, the Library is committed to:

The Library has identified seven strategic directions for the next two to three years:

Strategic Direction 1: Increase the breadth and scope of information resources

  1. Pursue opportunities to participate in collaborative purchases of electronic resources.
  2. Explore additional opportunities to move from print to electronic information sources including, books, journals and cartographic and data resources

Strategic direction 2: Enhance and integrate access to information resources and services

  1. Investigate and implement if and when appropriate:
    1. Improvements in the content, design, and navigability of library websites.
    2. New and emerging technologies e.g. wire-less services, web indexing, linking and other finding tools to electronic information resources.
    3. Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) initiatives for collaborative archiving of digital resources.
    4. Enhanced access to archival holdings by participating in the Ontario Archival Information Network (ARCHEION).
    5. A provincial integrated online interlibrary loan document delivery system.
    6. An electronic reserve project with a copyright requesting service.
    7. A book delivery service of UW material to the UW community.
    8. A “Virtual” online, interactive reference service.
    9. An inventory of the collection, because of concern from clients about “missing” books.
    10. Improved collection security.
  2. Continue local archives collaborative efforts by participating in municipal and regional projects.

Strategic direction 3: Respond to changing approaches to scholarly communications and reinforce the University community’s understanding of the effect of the changes

  1. Publish “Copyright Guide for Research Resources.”
  2. Maximise the potential of satisfying document requests through non-traditional means.
  3. Support international collaboration in scholarly communications initiatives and publicize to the UW community news about trends in scholarly publishing, e.g. SPARC, ISCA and CARLSCOMM.

Strategic direction 4: Assess the effectiveness of library services and information resources

  1. Continue to work on the collection and analysis of data on the growth, use and cost/benefit of print and electronic information resources.
  2. Analyse results of the user satisfaction survey (LibQUAL) to determine further action needed to improve services.
  3. Address issues of: hours, standards, delivery systems, staff training, distance education students, Industrial and Business Information Service (IBIS)

Strategic direction 5: Support students in the development of information discovery and critical evaluation skills  “information literacy”

  1. Explore an Information Services programme to introduce incoming first-year students to the Library each year during August.
  2. Promote an understanding of the value of information literacy skills to faculty members and students and work with individual faculty members to integrate information literacy into the curriculum.
  3. Collaborate with LT3 to develop on-line tutorials to help students develop information literacy skills.

Strategic direction 6: Strengthen organisational infrastructure (cultural, physical, technological, and financial) to enhance learning, teaching and research

  1. Review the user network/workstation environment and library “information architecture.”
  2. Support plans for the move of the School of Architecture to Cambridge by identifying library resource and service needs and improve the physical design of the UMD Library.
  3. Improve micro-materials service by redesigning the micro area.in the Dana Porter Library.
  4. Develop strategies to raise $10 million by 2007 as part of the UW Campaign.

Strategic direction 7: Marketing and promoting the Library’s resources and services

  1. Develop effective displays and exhibitions to promote library resources and services.
  2. Improve effectiveness of library signage.
  3. Ensure that library staff members have knowledge of “general” library information and operations
  4. Publish and broaden the distribution of News @ Your Libraryto keep the campus community informed about library services and resources.
  5. Promote the Library by participating in UW initiatives such as Campus Day, Student Life 101, and Frosh Week Orientation Tours.

2002-02-28. mcs


Administrative Assistant
Last Updated: May 26, 2005