with Operational Goals
The mission of the Science Libraries, comprising both the Central Science Library and the Betty & Gordon Moore Library, complements and is compatible with the overall mission of Cambridge University Library.
Mission statement:
 To provide, organize and support high quality information services in support of research and teaching in science and technology within the University.
 To complement collections and services of department and college libraries in relevant subject areas at a research level but also ensuring there is adequate undergraduate provision.
 To serve as a focal point for and to take a lead in collaboration with other libraries and the development of a cooperative strategy for science information support within the University.
 To develop staff skills and provide a high level of service.
 To share in the University Library’s overall responsibility for the long-term preservation and retention of collections for future generations.
Operational goals established to fulfil the mission:
1. The provision, organization and support of high quality information services.
Collections and acquisitions:
1.1.1
Ensure sufficient acquisitions funds are available to purchase research and other scientific periodicals in the most suitable format and cost effective print only/electronic only/print plus electronic for users.
1.1.2
Ensure additional funds are available annually to cover inflation on existing subscriptions (both within and outside scientific journal coordination scheme) that exceeds the level of inflation built into normal planning (for
2006-07 inflation is at 9%).
The provision of additional funds specifically covering the contribution of the
University Library Science Libraries to the Coordination Scheme is intended to maintain the value of the contribution in real terms on the understanding that
Schools with participating departments (currently CSBS and CSPS) should also increase their contributions proportionally; that is 9% increases annually on the base contributions in 2005/06 of CSBS: and CSPS = Chemistry and Physics. Additional funds to cover inflation from the previous years were not provided by the School of
Biological Sciences in 2005/6 or the department of Chemistry. These additional funds from the relevant Schools are required if significant levels of journal cancellations year after year are to be avoided, along with subsequent erosion of

support for the teaching and research programme and damage to the reputation of the University.
1.1.3
Establish recurrent acquisitions funds for monographic purchases at both
CSL and Moore Libraries to complement legal deposit intake. In the planning process for 2005/06 significant adjustments were made to the budgets of the two libraries to distribute funds equitably. The provision of adequate monographic collections to support undergraduate, post-graduate and research users has suffered as a consequence of the high costs of scientific periodicals.
1.1.4
Ensure that the two science libraries are seen to be the prime location for current scientific material within the University Library and that collection decisions and expenditure of funds rests with science subject specialists.
Review workflow and liaison procedures between the two libraries and CDD with the aim of integrating relevant staff of the Science Libraries fully into the work flow of the Division, improve communication and ensuring that material is located at the best site for its users.
1.1.5
Start selective transfer of legal deposit monographic material in the biological, chemical and earth & environmental sciences to the CSL.
1.1.6
Continue to re-catalogue ex-departmental backlog at Moore Library in order to provide access to material previously unidentifiable to readers.
1.1.7
Secure additional funds to expand coverage of reserve collection of teaching material at both CSL and Moore Library. These funds could also be devoted to purchase of electronic recommended student texts in relevant areas taking advantage of new purchasing models emerging from the current pilot e-book scheme being undertaken by certain College libraries. The
Science Libraries can play a role in helping reducing expenditure in the purchase of multiple hard copies of expensive science texts by departments and colleges.
1.1.8 Secure additional funding to cover annual maintenance of the Betty and
Gordon Moore Library by staff of the Centre for Mathematical Sciences and for the provision and technical maintenance service of Public Workstation
Facility computers.
Information Services:
1.2.1
Ensure that all staff are trained to have an appropriate level of knowledge of electronic services.
1.2.2
Continue to expand print and especially web based research guides for subjects covered by the two libraries. Establish induction materials on web for new researchers and students.
1.2.3
Ensure staff are able to fully participate in any collaborative projects in
the provision of information services in an online environment.

1.2.4
Encourage take up of direct to desk top electronic document delivery and consider financial basis by which document delivery should be relied on rather than maintaining subscriptions to lesser used titles.
1.2.5
Investigate and analyse current use of document supply services by scientists in departments and the Central Libraries for consideration of future collection development policy.
1.2.6
Further develop web pages as a major means of communication
with and delivery of services to library clientele.
Collection management and buildings:
1.3.1
Develop plans for new CSL on Downing Site in line with EMBS site
plan, when prepared. (See main UL strategic plan).
1.3.2
Review space capacity needs of Science Libraries with longer-term digital or off-site storage for little used print collections (see also 1.3.6). Secure funds for essential renovation of CSL within Arts School, especially reception and staff areas.
1.3.3
Continue review of CSL/Moore/UL print collections to identify duplicate runs for possible disposal or relegation to cooperative long-term storage facility.
1.3.4
Installation of improved security systems with new technology at both sites.
Installation of security systems at the CSL and upgrading of equipment at the
Moore Library would secure the University’s investment in the collections and enable the collection of improved management data on actual use. Funding to be identified
1.3.5 Secure additional binding funds to ensure acquired journals are cared for in an appropriate and secure manner. These funds also cover the binding of paperback monographs acquired via Legal Deposit.
1.3.6
Installation of new mobile shelving at Moore Library. Funded as part of the successful University Library bid for SRIF funding of physical and digital storage and access. A second rank of mobile shelves will be installed in the lower ground floor immediately in front of those existing. The new capacity will enable the transfer of more current material within the subject framework of the library from West Road and the Central Science Library.
2. To complement collections and services of department and college libraries in relevant subject areas at a research level but also ensuring there is adequate undergraduate provision.
2.1
Work to develop “joined up” realistic collection development policies between the Science Libraries and departments to make the best use of available resources.

2.2
See 1.1.7
2.3
Build on existing journal coordination scheme and encourage greater day-to- day contact between science departmental libraries and the two libraries.
2.4 Advise on and accommodate any merger of existing department collections with the most relevant site.
3. To serve as a focal point for and to take a lead in collaboration with other libraries and the development of a cooperative strategy for science information support within the University.
3.1
Build on potential of e-books to complement print reserve collections and involve colleges in possible funding model. See also 1.1.7.
3.2
Continue to publicise innovations in scholarly communication and plan mini- workshops within departments to continue to stimulate discussion of the topic.
3.3. See 2.1, 2.3 and 2.4.
4. Development of staff skills and provision of a high level of service.
4.1
Ensure that levels of staff funding do not adversely affect core activities.
Establish a protected budgeted time for staff training and meetings.
4.2
Ensure that science library staff are integrated with the UL workflow and communication chain, particularly with regard to user registration. Also ensure that they have a clear path for their feedback on special requirements to be taken into account.
5. Management
5.1
To be seen as fully integrated elements of the University Library by
staff and readers.
5.2
Pursue a unified registration system for all five sites.
6. Fundraising
6.1
Develop expertise to enable an ongoing fundraising programme to support
the science libraries buildings and acquisitions directly.
6.2
Within framework of institutional fund raising seek external funding to support undergraduate scientific services (1.1.3 and 1.1.7)
Michael L Wilson
2005 Science Libraries Strategic Plan
9/11/05 revised 29/11/05 revised 30/11/05,revised 2/12/05Final version 3/3/06