McConnell Library Strategic Plan
April 2011
The resources and services you seek in the place you want to be!
1
McConnell Library: A Brief Overview
From the moment that students first attended classes at Radford State Normal
and Industrial School in 1913, the Library has been a core component of Radford’s
academic life. Originally staffed by four librarians, with a collection of several thousand
books, the Library quickly outgrew its initial location within the original Administration
Building. Responding to the need for a larger library, John Preston McConnell Library
was built and opened its doors in 1932. With two expansions in the 1960s and 1990s,
McConnell Library has grown and evolved to meet the ever-changing academic needs
of Radford University’s students, faculty, and staff.
Today, McConnell Library provides modern resources and services for Radford’s
21st century academic community. Students and faculty enjoy the services and
amenities found in its physical building, logon to its website to use McConnell’s robust
collection of online resources, and come to McConnell to check out books, find a quiet
corner to study, attend library instruction sessions, and use the Archives and Special
Collections.
LibQual Surveys show that students enjoy coming to McConnell Library for the
study spaces, comfortable couches, computers, coffee shop, and library services. In
2009-10, McConnell’s instruction librarians taught 416 classes to 8,911 students, and
the Radford University community checked out 49,419 books, CDs, and DVDs. Use of
our online resources included over half a million visits to pages within the McConnell
Library website, resulting in the downloading of 193,157 journal articles from our
website’s subscription databases (more statistics can be found in Appendix A).
Clearly, McConnell Library delivers a greater array of resources and services
than the original several thousand books that graced the shelves in 1913. It also takes
far more than four librarians to provide the wide range of services and resources we
offer now. As we developed this Strategic Plan, we realized that it would be useful to
describe the various departments in McConnell Library, and explain what their roles are
in delivering the services and materials that the Radford University community uses on
a daily basis.
McConnell Library consists of five administrative departments: Access Services,
Reference/Instruction, Technical Services, Technology, and Archives and Special
Collections. Each department plays a critical and unique role in fulfilling the overall
mission of McConnell Library.
Access Services includes the Front Desk, Circulation, Interlibrary Loan, and
Reserves. The Front Desk is staffed by Access Services employees whenever the
library is open. The Front Desk checks out materials, offers item paging and holds
services, proxy checkouts, and online renewals. Front Desk workers also provide
patrons with information about library services, and are responsible for opening and
closing the building and monitoring the general safety and security of the library, staff,
and patrons. The Circulation Unit maintains the patron database, makes daily financial
deposits, handles billing and debt collection procedures and reports tracks item
circulation and other statistics, searches for missing items, and supervises the
approximately 20 undergraduate students and 3 Graduate Assistants who work in
2
Access Services. The Interlibrary Loan Unit borrows materials from, and lends materials
to, other libraries throughout the world. The Reserves Unit places materials on reserve
and monitors reserve copyright issues, either in a limited-access collection or in digital
format online.
Reference/Instruction staffs the reference desk, answers in-person and virtual
reference queries, assists patrons in using the variety of computers, scanners, and
other equipment in the library, and monitors silent and group study areas. They assist
faculty with research projects, such as assisting with grant applications through helping
with literature searches. Instruction librarians teach workshops on APA/MLA/ChicagoTurabian styles, RefWorks, and on specific databases. They work with teaching faculty
to offer course-related instruction that focuses on using library resources such as online
databases, electronic books, and journals. Reference/Instruction also oversees and
manages the Winesett Library Research Award.
Technical Services is responsible for the budgeting and procurement of all
library books, online databases, journals, and other materials. The develop library
collection policies based on usage, cost, and departmental needs. Technical Services
maintains the library’s online catalog, works with materials vendors, ensures the
continuity of electronic resources, and maintains the physical collections through
labeling, shelving, and mending.
Archives and Special Collections collects, organizes, preserves, and provides
finding aids for the RU Archives, Special Collections, Appalachian Collection, and Rare
Books. The Archives digitizes materials for online access, maintains the Archives
website and blog, creates exhibits and displays, and assists RU faculty, staff, students,
alumni, and community members in using photos, manuscripts, and other materials
from the Archives and Special Collections. The Archives trains interns in archival
practice through a collaborative program with the RU History Department, and oversees
and manages the Winesett Book Collecting Contest.
The Technology Department maintains the library’s website and integrated
library system, administers the many library servers, monitors access and security for
the library’s online materials, manages online databases, blog software, library intranet,
and archival software used by the library faculty and staff. They also maintain and
support the computers, printers, scanners, and software on all staff and public
computers and hardware in McConnell Library.
In addition, the library has an Administrative Council consisting of the University
Librarian and department heads from these five departments.
Many of the library’s faculty and staff are highly engaged in the library profession,
serving as leaders and holding memberships in state and national professional
organizations, conducting research and publishing in academic library publications,
attending and presenting at professional conferences, and taking coursework and
seminars to keep abreast of the many changes in library practices, standards, and the
ever-evolving field of library technology (see Appendix C). All library faculty hold a
Masters of Library Science degree, or its equivalent, as do a number of the library’s
classified staff.
3
Mission
The mission of McConnell Library is to build strong relationships and advance learning
with all members of the Radford University community.
Vision Statement
We will enhance services, collections, and spaces to invite and inspire learning,
intellectual and artistic creativity, and the free and open exploration of ideas.
Values Statement
We value the free expression and sharing of information, and recognize the library’s
need to serve all members of the Radford University community. To this end we will:
•
•
•
•
•
Focus on responsive and quality service to the Radford University community
of learners;
Encourage and enable the exploration and expression of diverse, free, and
creative ideas;
Be responsible stewards of resources;
Seek creative and progressive solutions; and
Seek input and respond with openness and transparency.
We strongly support and abide by the American Library Association’s Library Bill of
Rights that promotes the free expression and sharing of all information and points of
view.
Goals
Goal 1: Make McConnell Library a Radford Destination
The library will work closely with consultants, architects, contractors, and
Facilities Planning to transform the library building into a more inviting and
intuitive space that attracts students, faculty and visitors.
Goal 2: Enhance Spaces for Study and Collaboration
The library will work closely with consultants, architects, contractors, and
Facilities Planning to enhance spaces and room for individual and collaborative
study.
Goal 3: Provide Technology and Support to Improve User Access
The library will effectively deploy electronic resources, technologies, and staff to
expand access to information for students and faculty.
Goal 4: Enhance and Expand Archives and Special Collections
The library will continue to build unique collections that attract specialized
researchers and contribute to Radford University’s reputation.
4
Goal 5: Community Engagement
The library will actively participate in university-wide initiatives and events, and
will host events in the library.
Goal 6: Develop Staffing Priorities
The library will evaluate staffing, make adjustments, and develop staffing
priorities to better serve the university community.
Goal 7: Pursue Development Opportunities
The library will identify funding possibilities within the library and will work with
the Radford University Foundation to create a development program.
Goal 8: Create an Assessment Plan
The library will implement a focused assessment plan to demonstrate library
stewardship and impact.
Goal 9: Demonstrate Agility and Support Innovation
The library will demonstrate agility in response to unforeseen opportunities and
challenges ahead and will encourage and support staff creativity and innovation.
5
Detailed Strategic Priorities
Goal 1: Make McConnell Library a Radford Destination
The library will work closely with consultants, architects, contractors, and
Facilities Planning to transform the library building into a more inviting and
intuitive space that attracts students, faculty and visitors. Specifically, we will:
Objective 1.1. Work to insure that the library exterior and entrance are
welcoming and accessible.
Objective 1.2. Enhance and improve advertising tools to market library
programs and events.
Objective 1.3. Use color, signage, furniture, flooring and accessories to
make navigating the building more intuitive for library users.
Objective 1.4. Create space to showcase student art and achievements.
Objective 1.5. Remodel the atrium to improve the visibility and flow of
library services.
Objective 1.6. Seek input from library users as we plan these changes.
Goal 2: Enhance Spaces for Study and Collaboration
The library will work closely with consultants, architects, contractors, and
Facilities Planning to enhance spaces and room for individual and collaborative
study. Specifically, we will:
Objective 2.1. Rebuild student study spaces that reflect and serve a variety
of individual and group study needs including improved lighting, furnishings,
technologies and noise management.
Objective 2.2. Create a new graduate study space.
Objective 2.3. Investigate, select and approach departments at Radford
University that offer academic support services, with the goal of partnering
with them to enhance faculty and student services in the library.
Goal 3. Provide Technology and Support to Improve User Access
The library will effectively deploy electronic resources, technologies, and staff to
expand access to information for all students and faculty, including those with
special needs. Specifically, we will:
Objective 3.1. Update the library collection development policy to more
aggressively expand electronic resources, to improve use and to more
effectively balance needs for browsing, in depth research and available
6
space.
Objective 3.2. Investigate and implement individual ebook purchasing and
approval plans.
Objective 3.3. Investigate, select and purchase streaming media
resources.
Objective 3.4. Improve the layout and storage of collections to make
browsing and finding resources easier for users.
Objective 3.5. Improve access to wireless and wired Internet connectivity
throughout the building.
Objective 3.6. Investigate, select and implement mobile interfaces to
electronic resources.
Objective 3.7. Investigate the use of research portals for upper level
classes, graduate programs, and academic departments that would
incorporate blogs with embedded federated searches, RSS feeds,
interactive capacity, and related technologies.
Goal 4. Enhance and Expand Archives and Special Collections
The library will continue to build unique collections that attract specialized
researchers and contribute to Radford University’s reputation. Specifically, we
will:
Objective 4.1. Use sustainable, green architectural elements whenever
possible.
Objective 4.2. Work with consultants, architects, contractors, and Facilities
Planning to create a distinctive archives and special collections area that
reflects the unique and prominent collections with user spaces, collections
and staff offices in closer proximity.
Objective 4.3. Create secured storage and staff work areas with
appropriate environmental controls to preserve collections.
Objective 4.4. Address structural and environmental building deficiencies
that compromise preservation of collections.
Objective 4.5. Partner with the Radford University Foundation to identify
funding possibilities in special collections.
7
Objective 4.6. Digitize Radford theses and dissertations to improve access
to Radford scholarship.
Goal 5. Community Engagement
The library will actively participate in university-wide initiatives and events, and
will host events in the library. Specifically, we will:
Objective 5.1. Create roles for all library staff members to participate in
library outreach efforts including attendance at events, university
committees and other partnerships.
Objective 5.2. Create a social media plan to actively engage library users
in meaningful dialog and to improve awareness of library resources and
services.
Objective 5.3. Create a mechanism to more fully involve students in library
decision-making.
Objective 5.4. Expand partnerships with other university offices to
enhance services for students and faculty.
Goal 6: Develop Staffing Priorities
The library will evaluate staffing, make adjustments, and develop staffing
priorities to better serve the university community. Specifically, we will:
Objective 6.1. Evaluate staffing levels and develop staffing priorities.
Objective 6.2. Create an annotated list of needed positions and evaluate
needs as current staff positions become vacant.
Goal 7: Pursue Development Opportunities
The library will identify funding possibilities within the library and will work with
the Radford University Foundation to create a development program.
Specifically, we will:
Objective 7.1. Identify funding opportunities above and beyond the normal
scope of Educational and General funds.
Objective 7.2. Work with the Foundation to create a Foundation liaison to
work with the library (as suggested by President Kyle).
8
Objective 7.3. Work with the Foundation to identify potential donors and
match them to specific funding opportunities (as suggested by President
Kyle).
Goal 8: Create an Assessment Plan
The library will implement a focused assessment plan to demonstrate library
stewardship and impact. Specifically, we will:
Objective 8.1. Develop assessment priorities and define metrics that
enable university and library leadership to monitor library performance.
Objective 8.2. Create a data repository to facilitate access to all library raw
data and statistical reports to inform decision-making.
Objective 8.3. Create an assessment plan to record the library’s impact on
student enrollment, retention, learning, and graduate student research.
Objective 8.4. Create an assessment plan to record the library’s impact on
faculty recruitment, teaching, research, and grant procurement.
Goal 9: Demonstrate Agility and Support Innovation
The library will demonstrate agility in response to unforeseen opportunities and
challenges ahead and will encourage and support staff creativity and innovation
9
Appendix A
Use of McConnell Library by the Radford University Community
McConnell Library is used in different ways by various members of the RU community.
Surveys show that RU’s undergraduate population places a high value on materials and
services found in the library building, citing the building’s value as a place to study and
receive instruction and reference assistance. While undergraduates, graduate students,
and faculty all value online resources, faculty and graduate students tend to place
greater value on online resources than undergraduates. The following statistics illustrate
how McConnell Library is used, both as a physical place and as a collection of online
resources. This covers the period from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.
Use of McConnell Library
Visitors to McConnell Library (based on entering the front door): 305,021
Number of library instruction sessions taught: 416
Total number of students taught in library instruction sessions: 8,911
Total number of reference transactions: 5,649
Number of books, CDs, DVDs, etc., checked out: 49,419
Number of reserve books, CDs, DVDs, etc. checked out: 2,793
Number of items ordered from other libraries by Interlibrary Loan: 5,470
Number of items loaned to other libraries by Interlibrary Loan: 10,083
Use of McConnell Library’s Website and Online Resources
Total visits to McConnell Library’s website’s front page: 378,634
Total visits to individual pages in McConnell’s website: 529,156
Number of logins to individual research databases: 455,076
Number of individual searches in research databases: 607,739
Number of full-text articles obtained from research databases: 193,157
Collection Statistics
Total number of print books (volumes) in McConnell Library: 312,007
Total number of electronic books: 69,356
Total number of print and online serial titles purchased: 12,147
Total number of free online serial titles through consortia sources (VIVA): 18,833
Total number of online subscription databases: 267
Total number sound and video recordings: 16,051
10
Appendix B
The Strategic Planning Process
Recognizing the need for McConnell Library to update the library’s Strategic Plan
to plan for the future, the Library’s Administrative Council began the strategic planning
process in the Summer of 2010. A Strategic Planning committee was formed that
consisted of members of the Administrative Council and additional faculty and staff from
all library departments.
The library worked with a consultant who specializes in academic library strategic
planning. The Strategic Planning committee held a two-day planning session with the
consultant at Selu in early August, which resulted in a working template and draft of the
Strategic Plan.
The library conducted a campus-wide survey to discover what the Radford
University community valued in the library’s services, spaces, and materials, as well as
what we could do better. Survey respondents were asked if they would like to come to a
follow-up session to discuss the library in greater detail, and a number of interviews
were arranged based on there responses. Members of the Radford University
administration, including President Kyle, were invited to meet with the library’s Strategic
Planning committee.
Strategic Planning committee members met with President Kyle, several deans,
faculty and staff members, and students during September and October, and their
responses were incorporated into this Strategic Plan.
11
Appendix C
Summary of Publications and Presentations by
Library Faculty and Staff, 2005-2010.
Over the last five years, library faculty and staff have published peer-review
articles, presented at national and state library conferences, written articles for
professional newsletters, written reviews of books, CDs, and other materials for library
publications, and made presentations on the Radford University campus.
McConnell’s librarians have also served as officers on national and state library
organization boards and committees, have served as editorial staff for national
publications, and have served as reviewers for conference presentations and journal
articles.
This is a summary of publications and presentations from 2005-2010 by library
faculty and staff:
18 articles in peer-review library and information science journals;
45 presentations at national or state library conferences;
12 articles in professional newsletters or non-peer review journals;
over 100 book and materials reviews for library journals and publications; and
several dozen presentations at Our Turn and other campus events.
12