Indiana University South Bend Libraries Strategic Plan January 2014 - June 2017
Goals
1: Increase
discoverability and
access to quality
collections.
1.1 Grow library digital collections.
1.2 Identify and remove barriers to the
discovery and use of information in both
the virtual and physical library
environments.
1.3 Build, assess, and preserve quality
collections that support existing and
emerging academic programs.
Actions:
A
 Enhance access, delivery and
preservation of the institution's
distinct resources and assets
Actions:
 Uncover user obstacles in locating
information through use studies and
analytics
Actions:
 Review, evaluate, and weed entire
collection

Increase access to streaming
media titles utilizing stable
delivery platforms

Improve way finding and
information retrieval (virtually
and physically) based upon data

Ensure electronic resource
availability

Ensure web is responsive to all
platforms and mobile devices

Develop an appropriate, high
quality collection of ejournals and
ebooks to support the curriculum

Continuously monitor,
update and assess web pages
and libguides for accuracy,
completeness and currency
Indicators:
-Identified stable streaming media
platform
-Increase in number streaming media
titles
-Growth of digitized local collections
-Greater efficiency in managing
electronic resources, including reduced
backlog
-Survey results
-Interlibrary loan data
Indicators:
-Barriers identified and plan to
remove/solve implemented
-Improved wayfinding during followup
testing
-Results/reports from usability studies
-Number of web pages and libguides
reviewed and updated annually
-Libraries’ website provides optimal viewing
experience across a wide range of devices

Explore user-driven models of
acquisitions to meet the changing
academic environment

Evaluate collections’ ability to
support existing and emerging
academic programs

Update collection policies

Establish subject specific and
preservation collection policies
Indicators:
-Weeding/withdrawal plan and
timetable developed
-Percentage of sections/areas weeded
-Percentage of collection assessed and
analyzed
-Number of collection policies
updated/written that align with
campus teaching and programs
-Pilot of user driven acquisitions
completed, yielding purchase patterns
and projected budgetary impact
2: Foster student
and faculty success
through teaching,
learning and
engagement.
2.1 Improve the visibility, expertise
and services of subject librarians.
2.2 Cultivate student and faculty
engagement with the Libraries.
2.3 Deliver reference and research
assistance to meet changing user
needs and expectations.
2.4 Determine the resources,
space and service needs of our
students and faculty.
Actions:
 Create welcoming environments and
facilities for all users
Actions:
 Determine the level of reference
queries beyond the desk
Actions:
 Form an active Library
Student Advisory Council

Pilot new ways to connect with
students and faculty

Create a central repository for
recording transactions

Conduct space use study
and recommend
improvements

Offer student internships in
conjunction with academic units

Evaluate reference/research
service quality, hours, and
provision

Survey faculty and students
analyze results and take
actions
1.
Actions:
 Increase awareness of library
instruction, consultation services,
libguides and subject-specific
resources



Design and implement training
program for subject librarians
Identify library research intensive
courses to better target course
related instruction
Develop services that support the
integration of library content and
expertise into courses
Indicators:
-Increase in consultations, course
related instructions and libguides
-Growth of library presence in courses
-Pre and post evaluation of skill and
knowledge levels of subject librarians
-Reported department and faculty
contacts as compiled in subject
librarian annual report
-Number of research intensive courses
identified and subject librarians
involved.

Partner with student groups to
provide events/programs

Continue participation in Bridge and
other programs

Promote library awards to students
Indicators:
-Number of student internships
-Attendance and evaluations of
events/programs
-Participation rate and requests in
programs
-Enhanced appearance and functionality
of study rooms, workspaces, bathrooms
and lobby
-Number of Higher Learning Commission
grants
-Increase in library award applications
-Positive user feedback

Examine and implement best
practices for delivering reference
and research assistance
Indicators:
-Richer, accessible data repository
-Accurate tracking and analysis of
reference queries
-User feedback
-Reference models/best practices
reviewed and piloted
Indicators:
-Formation and activities of
Student Advisory Council
-Space use data collected
-Space use priorities identified
-Easier to navigate facilities
-Increased data/feedback about
faculty and students needs
-Usability data
-Survey results
3: Advance
scholarship, the
research enterprise
and new publishing
models.
3.1 Lead scholarly
communications and media digital
preservation initiatives on campus.
3.2 Develop and grow the digital
repository of scholarship produced
by the university.
3.3 Increase faculty and student
awareness about open
access, copyright, and authors
rights.
3.4 Explore opportunities to
advance faculty research.
Actions:
 Establish a scholarly
communication program on
campus
Actions:
 Capture student research, theses,
publications, and creative works in
Scholarworks
Actions:
 Conduct environmental scan of
faculty participation and interest
in open access initiatives
Actions:
 Investigate usefulness of
establishing an Author ID
scheme

Inform campus of digitization/
preservation initiatives and
national open access mandates

Host campus journals using
Scholarworks

Develop a series of workshops,
guides, and videos on scholarly
communication issues

Offer altmetrics workshops
and consultations

Facilitate campus media inventory
and processing efforts for Media
Digitization and Preservation
Initiative (MDPI)
Foster a culture of self-archiving
among faculty to grow the scholarly
repository



Establish library as the first stop
for copyright inquiries
Promote subject librarians’
expertise and research
support to faculty

Prepare talking points for subject
librarians

Explore opportunities to
collaborate on research
projects with faculty

Identify and promote open
access, peer-reviewed
publications


Participate in planning of the IU
Digital Master plan and its
implementation at the campus
level

Increase participation in records
management among campus
departments
Develop metadata creation service
for faculty and departments
Indicators:
-Established Scholarly Communications
Program and goals
-Completion of MDPI media inventory
-Well coordinated shipment and
receipt of media sent to IUB
-Metadata service created and
marketed to faculty
-Active participation in the planning of
the IU Digital Master
Indicators:
-Number of student works in Scholarworks
-Percentage of digital master thesis sent
to Library
-Number of online journals in
Scholarworks
-Percentage of faculty participating in
open access
-Increase in number and diversity of
departmental records received
Indicators:
-Completion of environmental scan
-Number of questions fielded about
author rights and copyright
-Number of visits to Scholarly
Communications libguides
-Number of meetings attended
-Number of workshops and
participants
-Number of videos viewed
-Talking points distributed and
discussed
-Open access publications highlighted
on website
Indicators:
-Author ID feasibility and
interest study completed
-Number of altmetrics
workshops and consultations
-Number of faculty research
queries
-Number of faculty librarian
research collaborations
4: Tell our stories
effectively by
documenting and
promoting the
value of the
Libraries.
4.1 Highlight the Libraries’ role in
student and faculty success.
4.2 Increase student and faculty
awareness of resources and services.
4.3 Increase use of WERC by
surrounding communities and
schools.
Actions:
 Refocus library Speaker series to
spotlight student and faculty
research
Actions:
Actions:
 Implement and partner with K-12
community outreach programs




Promote library services at Welcome
Week, IT event, Undergraduate
Research Conference, etc.
Issue a monthly newsletter
centered on the Libraries’ role in
student success

Inform administrators and campus
community of library’s role in
faculty and student successes

Extensively promote five electronic
resources a year

Investigate the feasibility and interest
in programming that highlights
collections and diversity resources

Promote collections through outreach
plan, displays and new book list
Actively acquire testimonials from
students, student workers, and
faculty of positive impact of the
Libraries
Indicators:
-Program attendance
-Number of testimonials
-Newsletters read
- interview data
Continue outreach with Student
Services and student groups with an
eye toward future collaborations
Indicators:
-Increase in media equipment checkouts
-Increase in circulation
-Increase in resource use
-Number of visits and visitors to tables at
events
-Use of tutoring and other student
services in the library
-Number of visits to new book guide
-Number of new or extended
collaborations
-Number of activities promoting
collections and diversity resources

Identify and target home
schooling groups

Develop LibGuides that highlight
and recommend WERC and other
resources
Indicators:
-WERC participation in outreach
programs
-Increase in library cards issued at
WERC
-Increase in circulation at WERC
-Increase in questions at WERC
-Increase in turnstile count at WERC
-Number of outside tours and requests
for services at WERC
-Number of visits to WERC libguides
5: Cultivate a
responsive and
innovative
organization
focused on service
excellence.
5.1 Invest in professional and
continuing education.
5.2 Engage librarians and staff in
planning, workflow analysis,
evaluation, and assessment.
5.3 Improve internal communication
and sharing of information,
decisions, and documents.
5.4 Recognize outstanding
contributions and celebrate
success.
Actions:
 Identify and provide opportunities
for professional and staff
development
Actions:
 Continuously monitor training needs
Actions:
 Gain a greater understanding of
communication issues
Actions:
 Create an employee
recognition program

Determine and apply more
efficient ways to communicate
and share information

Communicate and
recognize innovation that is
happening across the
Libraries

Provide staff development on
internal processes

Identify and implement
ways to celebrate
departmental and library
wide achievements



Establish a formal process for
sharing professional development
experiences
Maintain budgets for registration
and travel
Broaden participation in campus
committees
Indicators:
-Number of workshops, site visits,
conferences and webinars attended
-Formal process to share information
established
-Money allocated and spent on
professional development
-Increase in library representation on
campus committees and groups




Synchronize projects among
departments to improve work flow
Improve the accuracy, timeliness and
usefulness of statistical reports
Accurately gather collection and use
data in order to make good decisions
Develop and revise policies,
procedures and operations to
improve efficiencies
Indicators:
-Assessment training attendance
-Greater knowledge about assessment
-Annual survey of training needed
-Statistics reports
-Workflow and procedures welldocumented for cross departmental units
-Streamlined and improved workflows
recommended and implemented
-Team and committee evaluations and
reports demonstrating enhanced process
and workflow

Establish staff suggestion and
feedback mechanisms to improve
library operations and services

Ensure unit goals and objectives
are integrally linked to the
Library’s strategic initiatives

Institute student worker exit
interviews
Indicators:
-Survey of staff indicates higher
satisfaction with communication
-Clearer procedures and protocols for
sharing news and files
-Student exit interview process
instituted
-Greater knowledge among staff about
library operations and departmental
issues
Indicators:
-Employee recognition program
established
-System to celebrate innovation
and achievement in place
6: Ensure fiscal
health through
responsible
stewardship.
6.1 Maximize collection funds.
6.2 Develop and implement an array of
fundraising strategies to attract external
funding.
6.3 Continually review positions,
services, and programs to ensure
effective expenditure of funds.
Actions:
 Pursue opportunities to increase
access with reduced expenditures
Actions:
 Form Library Advisory board to assist
with fundraising and donor
cultivation
Actions:
 Review position descriptions
annually to ensure responsibilities
of positions meet the library
needs and goals


Establish criteria for adding
subscriptions and databases
Conduct annual review of
serials/databases and make
informed decisions

Cultivate campus financial support
for new and emerging academic
programs

Increase collections budget
Indicators:
-Annual review of serial/database
subscriptions in place including review
of cost/use analysis
-Criteria for adding subscriptions and
databases established
-Low use serials identified
-Increase in collection budget
May 7, 2014

Develop a multi-year fundraising plan
with priorities and specified targets

Work with Development to cultivate
existing and potential donors

Pursue grant opportunities to support
digitization of special collections

Attend fundraising workshops to learn
new approaches
Indicators:
-Retention rate of existing library donors
-Number of new donors
-Formation of Library Board
-Established plan, funding priorities and
targets
-Amount raised through outside sources
-Workshops attended

Conduct baseline workload
analysis of staff and librarians and
make recommendations

Implement ongoing measurement
of programs and services
Indicators:
- Percentage of positions reviewed
-Percentage of student job
descriptions completed
-Baseline workload analysis completed
-Recommendations for position
revisions submitted
-Comparative and trend analysis of
library services reported