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• I. Introduction
• II. Strategic and Financial Planning
• III. Collection and Information Servcies
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I. Introduction

Missions, Visions, Values

A Library Mission Statement involving all staff in its formulation was completed. The process of crafting and discussing the Library mission statement was extremely important in the evolution of the new Library culture. The text itself, while a valuable reminder, was secondary to the widespread interaction and communication that occurred surrounding the development of the document. The process of building a shared understanding of the library goals was done interactively. We were fortunate to have wide participation in the process; we must be vigilant in maintaining these discussions.

The next step, the development of a mission statement for each of the five processes described by library staff has also been completed. The process mission statements are important, for two reasons. First, it follows from the recommendations coming from the mission statement meetings that we needed to continue these discussions in smaller, focussed settings. Secondly, the process mission statements test the idea that these groups could be used as a structural model for the Library; the confirmation of the strength and viability of this approach has been key in realigning the Library's structure.

Training, Learning, and Development

Workshops in team building and team skills have be attended by all interested staff.

The Student Centre Team (which recommended not moving Reserve Reading Services to the Student Centre) was a 1994/95 highlight. This group seriously considered the mission statement section about "client needs are primary." They also felt empowered enough to question their own mandate and to investigate concerns. While the outcome of the team was not what was expected or planned, it does reveal the dedication and commitment of staff to serving the best interests of library clients and the existence of an organizational climate which permits debate, controversy, and teamwork.

• Effective Meetings" programs have begun and will continue until all staff who identify improved meeting skills as a need have had an opportunity to attend training sessions.
• VDT User Workshops: all staff have had an opportunity to attend a Health and Safety Department presentation for VDT users. As a follow-up the Library is now working with the Department in coordinating system-wide workstation evaluations.
• The provision of e-mail (and resources to access e-mail) to all staff was a significant achievement. Widespread e-mail access is subtly changing library communications. E-mail offers all staff opportunities to learn about the Internet and electronic information services.
• The Library has recognized the need for a more structured and intensive computer software applications training program than is presently available. A cooperative education student was commissioned last fall to study computer training needs in the Library. Significant recommendations from his report will be carried out including the establishment of a computer software training coordinator, and the provision of library computer training labs.
• Systems Help Desk
  The establishment of a Help Desk service in the Systems Department reflected a proactive, client focused attitude towards staff. The Help Desk emerged from a series of focus group meetings with library staff during which the key issue of uninterrupted, consistent operation was highlighted. The service has been very well received by staff. The Help Desk reveals how staff can help each other in effective, responsive ways.

Collections Coordination and Rationalization

In consideration of continued budget difficulties and new cooperative initiatives with Wilfrid Laurier and Guelph University Libraries, collections management will be subject to intensive review and may continue to affect how we are organized.

Client Relations

The Senate Library Committee is reviewing its mandate. I look forward to a revitalized and strong relationship with the academic community through this committee. I will also meet to discuss library issues with senior officers of the university.

In addition, the Library will improve library - client relations by providing high-quality, consistent, and regular communications to all "clients," internal and external. Targetted for review and redevelopment are for your information, the newsletter to the library user community, and For the Library Staff.
A complete library publications review is underway.

The Liaison Librarian - Faculty Library Representative relationship will be reviewed.

The mandate, effectiveness, and structure of the three library committees (the Arts Faculty Council Library Committee, The Davis Centre Library Group, and The University Map and Design Library Advisory Committee) will be reexamined and if necessary, renewed.

The Library provided leadership in helping the University interpret, understand, and apply the agreement that the University has with the Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (CANCOPY). The agreement, which came into effect on September 1, 1994, permits faculty members, staff, and students to make copies, under specified conditions, of certain types of copyright protected material. In exchange for this permission, the University will pay CANCOPY specified fees each year.

Two public events this past year have helped to improve the image of the Library on campus and beyond. The second annual Friends of the Library spring event, with Michael Higgins as the featured speaker created new "friends" for the Library. The annual event provides an opportunity to include the President in a library activity, bring faculty into the Library, acknowledge authors on campus, and thank our donors. The publicity generated prior to the event in the Daily Bulletin, UW Gazette, K-W Record, is also important.

Michael Higgins

The Opening of the William Dendy Collection was the second event this year which brought the Library considerable attention. The event itself provided us with an opportunity to work with faculty and staff from the School of Architecture. Good working relationships have continued to develop as a result. The media attention received is of tremendous value. Information about the opening and the collection appeared in the UW Gazette, K-W Record, Globe and Mail (twice), ES Chronicle (ES annual newsletter for faculty, staff, students, and alumni), the University's planned giving newsletter, and a cover feature article appeared in the Spring 1995 issue of the Alumni Magazine.

S. Bellingham and Shirley Fowley, Donation of the K-W Sales and Advertising Club archives - August 1994

In addition to the Dendy Collection, several other significant collections have been added: Sally Weaver Papers, Archives of the Canadian Coalition on Acid Rain, Kitchener YMCA, KW Sales and Ad Club, and Robert Dorney Papers.

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