Task Force on Communicating Directions
and Goals of the University Libraries
January 11, 2001

Chair: Parker Ladwig
Members: Cameron Tuai, Theresa Casad, Melodie Eiteljorge

There are multiple documents currently existing within the University Libraries which speak to the vision, mission, goals, challenges and strategies, directions, renovation framework and objectives, and budgeting priorities for additional money of the University Libraries and its departments. Parker presented a preliminary analysis of several of these documents to LAM on January 20, 2001 which revealed the complexities of using them to gain an overview of library directions and priorities.

Part one of the charge is to put these existing documents into the framework of a strategic plan to foster more effective communication of their contents, and to assist library staff in their interpretation and use of this information. The framework should define types of strategic planning statements, organize these documents into these categories, identify the areas of interest represented in these documents and map the document contents to these areas, and present the results in a manner that will allow readers to more easily understand what is being presented.

Recognizing that these documents were written by different groups or individuals at different times, you do not need to reconcile their differences or choose among them.

Part two is to assess the current state of strategic planning in the University Libraries and make recommendations for its improvement. This should include a statement on the role of a strategic plan, an evaluation of the conflicts between or among the existing statements as well as of gaps in what is usually included in a strategic plan, and the effectiveness of our current documents in communicating directions and goals within or outside of the Libraries.

Please consult as useful within the Libraries, present a status report to LAM on March 7th, and send your report to me by March 30, 2001.

Jennifer A. Younger
Edward H. Arnold Director of University Libraries