Strategic Plan 2017-2025

Strategic Plan 2017-2025: Transforming Lives – Opening Worlds

Introduction

The University of Miami Libraries undertook a participatory planning process during academic year 2016-2017 to align the Libraries’ vision, mission, and strategic priorities with the University’s Roadmap to Our New Century, as well as relevant trends in the higher education and research library environments. Four principles guided the process: (1) focus on broad participation and engagement; (2) build a culture that embraces change and fosters achievement; (3) deepen organizational capacity; and (4) rely upon shared leadership.

As a result, the Libraries have adopted a new vision, mission, and values statement, in addition to five goals to observe during the coming five years with a set of 22 closely-aligned strategies. During the 2017-2018 year the Libraries will focus on a set of 46 initiatives and tactics, representing activity streams that are associated with every goal.

The Libraries’ Strategic Plan goals have been mapped to align closely with the Roadmap to our New Century. The alignment can be found here.

For the latest information: Please see the Strategic Plan Progress Report 2020

University Libraries Strategic Plan Midterm Scorecard

Goals

1. The Heart of Learning
2. Resource for Hemispheric and Global Knowledge
3. Facilitate Research and Scholarship
4. A Place for Dialogue
5. Enable the Evolving Workforce

Strategies, Initiatives, and Tactics

 

GOAL 1. The Heart of Learning

STRATEGY 1.1 : Collaborate with University partners to offer a seamless array of learning and research services.

• TACTIC 1.1.1 — Complete the first phase transformation of the first floor of Richter Library into a Learning Commons — a collaborative service and learning space for the Libraries and partners.
• TACTIC 1.1.2 — Complete planning of the second phase transformation of the first floor of Richter Library into a Learning Commons.
• TACTIC 1.1.3 — Improve student experience of academic services by integrating new partners into the Learning Commons as needed.
• TACTIC 1.1.4 — Amplify the Learning Commons’ impact throughout the Libraries and in other settings when possible.
• TACTIC 1.1.5 — Raise the visibility of the Learning Commons nationally and internationally by presenting at national conferences and venues about the work of the Learning Commons.

STRATEGY 1.2: Promote peer-to-peer learning.

• TACTIC 1.2.1 — Provide increased access to emerging technologies and equipment for check-out in Creative Studio in multiple locations in the University Libraries.
• TACTIC 1.2.2 — Serve as a service hub for extended reality (XR) and other artificial intelligence technologies.
• TACTIC 1.2.3 — Develop Library Research Scholars Program and Adobe Scholars Program to give students more opportunities to develop research and creative projects that are outside of the traditional curriculum.
• TACTIC 1.2.4 — Launch Peer Research Consultants’ program to deliver peer-to-peer research services for undergraduates in the Learning Commons’ Consultation Zone.
• TACTIC 1.2.5 — Explore collaborations with campus and outside partners around student mental health.

STRATEGY 1.3: Strengthen and promote the Libraries’ teaching role.

• TACTIC 1.3.1 — Leverage the Liaison Librarian Council to develop a coordinated strategy across the Libraries to promote the expertise of librarians and the suite of services they offer: personalized consultations, customized workshops, and on-demand instructional sessions.
• TACTIC 1.3.2 — Develop methods and processes for evaluating the qualitative impact of librarians’ teaching efforts on learning.
• TACTIC 1.3.3 — Revise core job description for liaison librarian work to align with findings of “Conversation Project” — a qualitative assessment of faculty research and teaching needs.
• TACTIC 1.3.4 — Hire a student success librarian to develop our approach to the first year student experience with strong ties to the academic curriculum.

STRATEGY 1.4: Become a cross-disciplinary hub across the University and on each campus for fostering learning, creating, health, and well-being.

• TACTIC 1.4.1 –Integrate librarians and align library liaison work with the University’s Roadmap to Our New Century interdisciplinary initiatives (like U-LINK teams) through engagement with key leadership in Office of Research.
• TACTIC 1.4.2 — Develop and implement mindfulness programs and resources for the community, in collaboration with Mindfulness-in-Law Program, that complement similar offerings in Lowe Art Museum.

STRATEGY 1.5: Deliver services at point of need.

• TACTIC 1.5.1 — Offer library-to-library delivery services (instead of U.S. or University mail) to all three campuses.
• TACTIC 1.5.2 — Implement the Textbook Affordability Project pilot in partnership with the Camner Academic Resource Center and the University Campus Store (formerly University Bookstore).
• TACTIC 1.5.3 — Build and deploy redesigned library websites based on user experience (UX) best practices to improve discovery, access, and utilization of library services, collections, and programs.

STRATEGY 1.6: Optimize use of library spaces for learning, creating, health and well-being.

• TACTIC 1.6.1 — Refresh furniture and technology to ensure spaces are commodious and flexible.
• TACTIC 1.6.2 — Develop a master plan for the Richter Library and collection storage supporting all University libraries.
• TACTIC 1.6.3 — Renovate and implement a new Meditation Room in Richter Library in consultation with campus partners and student groups.
• TACTIC 1.6.4 — Develop new wellness and well-being areas in the libraries, starting with the master plan for Richter Library.

 

GOAL 2. A Resource for Hemispheric and Global Knowledge

STRATEGY 2.1: Build collections and conduct digitization initiatives with global, hemispheric and local partners to meet the teaching, learning, research, and clinical care needs of the University community.

• TACTIC 2.1.1 — Plan for and begin processing the Kislak Collection of the Early Americas, Exploration and Navigation prior to its arrival at UM.
• TACTIC 2.1.2 — Develop a systematic collections assessment and management strategy, including usage analysis, to support collection development, management, and digitization decisions.

STRATEGY 2.2: Facilitate seamless discovery of and access to University cultural property, library collections and institutional repository content.

• TACTIC 2.2.1 — Include Lowe Art Museum collections in the uSearch interface.
• TACTIC 2.2.2 — Include library repositories (AToM, CONTENTdm, Digital Commons) in the uSearch interface.
• TACTIC 2.2.3 — Test and pilot digital collection management systems to replace CONTENTdm.
• TACTIC 2.2.4 — Go live as a DPLA South Florida service hub.
• TACTIC 2.2.5 — Initiate OCLC Reclamation for library collections to ensure accurate representation of UM holdings in the WorldCat database, facilitating interlibrary loan and discovery services.
• TACTIC 2.2.6 — Explore and adopt software (e.g., SNAC) and processing workflows that when implemented will routinely expose special collections to Wikipedia and other search engines.

STRATEGY 2.3: Enable and lead the transformative use of print and digital collections.

• TACTIC 2.3.1 — Implement the Mellon Foundation-Funded project “CREATE: Leveraging Cultural Resources through Intra-Institutional Collaboration.”
• TACTIC 2.3.2 — Assess and potentially expand our effort to make digital collections more available for computational uses (such as the La Gaceta project).

STRATEGY 2.4: Ensure the long-term preservation of print and digital collections.

• TACTIC 2.4.1 — Ensure all appropriate digital collections are preserved in the APTrust.
• TACTIC 2.4.2 — Test and document current local digital preservation infrastructure.

STRATEGY 2.5: Increase international engagement at both organizational and individual levels.

• TACTIC 2.5.1 — Host IATUL (Int’l Association of University Libraries) 2022 annual meeting and regional summits.
• TACTIC 2.5.2 — Enhance faculty awareness of international professional development opportunities and review travel funding support.
• TACTIC 2.5.3 — Establish “Library Network” within the Hemispheric University Consortium (HUC0 in order to facilitate HUC goals and global engagement.

 

GOAL 3. Facilitate Research and Scholarship

STRATEGY 3.1: Support digital scholarship.

• TACTIC 3.1.1 — Transform the GIS Lab into a lab that supports a range of digital scholarship activities.
• TACTIC 3.1.2 — Form a cohesive Digital Scholarship unit under the umbrella of Digital Strategies.

STRATEGY 3.2: Support curation and discovery of University faculty scholarship.

• TACTIC 3.2.1 — Further develop Research Data Services in the University Libraries.
• TACTIC 3.2.2 — Partner with relevant University units to ensure that the Libraries provide a comprehensive record of University faculty scholarship.

STRATEGY 3.3: Support openness in scholarly communication.

• TACTIC 3.3.2 — Develop policies and guidelines for direct repository deposit and for journal publishing.

STRATEGY 3.4: Facilitate collaboration and interdisciplinary research partnerships.

• TACTIC 3.4.1 — Implement “The Conversation Project”, an initiative to engage faculty in conversation about their current and future research and teaching.
• TACTIC 3.4.2 — Develop a Faculty and Research Commons on the second floor of Richter Library that can facilitate interdisciplinary faculty collaboration, serve as event space, and connect to related third floor services (active learning spaces, conference room, digital scholarship and research librarians).

 

GOAL 4. A Place for Dialogue

STRATEGY 4.1: Engage with UM and community partners.

• TACTIC 4.1.1 — Work with regional memory organizations to include content in the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) Florida Network.

STRATEGY 4.2: Host public lectures, colloquia, and dialogs on issues of importance, including topics addressing diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

• TACTIC 4.2.1 — Work with Facilities to ensure timely completion of the Kislak Center and promote the facility as a welcoming venue for University schools, colleges, centers, and institutes.
• TACTIC 4.2.2 — Develop a land acknowledgement statement to be made at the start of each public program.
• TACTIC 4.2.3 — Establish a Libraries Indigenous Studies Group (LISG) to celebrate and elevate contemporary Indigenous experiences and history through multiple avenues, like developing new research guides and hosting public events related to their charter.

STRATEGY 4.3: Optimize use of library spaces for research and creativity.

• TACTIC 4.3.1 — Host programs in new (enclosed) Flexible Learning Environment in Learning Commons (completed portion), including student-driven programs.

 

GOAL 5. Enable the Evolving Workforce

STRATEGY 5.1: Develop knowledge base of employee capabilities.

• TACTIC 5.1.1 — Develop a personnel “skills map” or expertise database for the Libraries.

STRATEGY 5.2: Increase employee awareness of Libraries service programs.

• TACTIC 5.2.1 — Increase faculty and staff engagement through appropriate action steps based upon areas identified in the Gallup Survey results.

STRATEGY 5.3: Ensure that employees have the tools and skills necessary to provide excellent service.

• TACTIC 5.3.1 — Develop a gap analysis regarding the skills and tools needed by library personnel.

STRATEGY 5.4: Increase employee awareness of professional development and other lifelong learning opportunities.

• TACTIC 5.4.1 — Create an intranet page with links to existing opportunities provided by our membership organizations.
• TACTIC 5.4.2 — Pilot a new library employee resource group, call the “Well-Being Collective”, that draws upon the in-house expertise of library employees to offer optional well-being programs (mindfulness, yoga, etc.) to library employees.

STRATEGY 5.5: Increase an equitable, diverse, accessible, and inclusive workplace.

• TACTIC 5.5.1 — Establish a Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) Council that raises issues and makes recommendations to advance human diversity in the Libraries.
• TACTIC 5.5.2 — Promote tangible support to staff pursuing professional library and information science degrees.
• TACTIC 5.5.3 — Ensure personnel search and hire processes help to recruit and support a diverse workforce.
• TACTIC 5.5.4 — Retain current employees in the Libraries from underrepresented groups.