Library Strategic Plan 1995-2001

The Library's Mission Statement is:

"To achieve excellence in the provision and promotion of information services to meet the research, teaching and learning needs of the University"

The Library's GOALS are:

To provide timely access to information sources.
To promote and facilitate the use of existing and new information services and products.
To provide efficient consultation mechanisms to ascertain information needs, determine priorities and adapt services to specific groups and disciplines within the ANU scholarly community.
To maintain the provision of services by best management practices, demonstrating leadership in the innovative use of resources and technology.
To optimise resource sharing at a local, regional, national and international level.
To develop and encourage a highly skilled and motivated staff committed to the achievement of the Library's mission.

PROFILE

The convergence of computing, telecommunications and information providers is having a dramatic effect on the provision of library and information services world wide. Academic libraries are now in a period of transition

from paper based collections to electronic sources of information.
from an emphasis on ownership of materials locally to co-ordinating access to global network information sources.

The ANU Library provides services ranging from acquiring and processing conventional book and serial material to 24 hour network access to databases, and from basic facilities such as photocopying, inter-library loans and taped lectures to undertaking complex reference enquiries and assisting in the use of CD-ROMs, online databases and information resources on the Internet. The Library provides leadership in the co-ordinated management of information services.

In order to fulfil its role in the scholarly communication process and to address the diverse needs of the ANU environment, the Library works cooperatively with Faculties, Research Schools, Centres and other areas on campus. In particular, the Library Committee plays a central role in the coordination of campus priorities, working through its subject advisory committees, the Asia and Pacific Library Advisory Committee (APLAC), the Science Library Advisory Committee (SCILAC), a range of specialist science committees and the Social Sciences and Humanities Library Advisory Committee (SSHLAC) which provide advice in decisions on resource allocation.

The Library will continue to develop its strong national and international leadership in information access, indexing, electronic networking and data base activities. Research, teaching and learning support will be enhanced by collaborative enterprises such as the Centre for Networked Information and Publishing (CNIP) and through joint projects with other major libraries and institutions, in particular, the National Library of Australia.

Recent Achievements

Background

In order to better serve the University, the Library is reviewing, in consultation with the University community, both services provided and collection management policies. As a result:-

The purchasing power of the book and serial vote has been maintained as far as possible to support the research and teaching needs of user groups.
The URICA System has been replaced with an Integrated Library Management System (ILMS), Innopac, providing more sophisticated acquisition and cataloguing processes, a user friendly online public access catalogue as well as the means to store, search and display Chinese, Japanese and Korean script.
The ANU Library web site at ANU, provides access to the Library catalogue, Library information, online databases and the diverse range of information available via AARNet and Internet.
The Electronic Helpdesk, a new electronic reference service, has been introduced using email for sending of queries and delivery of replies.
The Centre for Networked Information & Publishing (CNIP) was established jointly by the Library and IT Services in 1994 to support nationally and internationally, the research and teaching of the University by providing access to facilities and services related to authoring and publishing material in an electronic format. It also develops, supports and works in cooperation with other groups and individuals on the delivery of networked information to the academic community. CNIP incorporates the Library's Centre for Networked Access to Scholarly Information (CNASI) which, since 1992, has played a major role in the development of the Campus Information System and ELISA and which, in 1994, won the VALA (Victorian Association for Library Automation Inc.) National Award for its innovative work.
Initiatives in Asia including CJK (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) network access and the development of the proposed National Asian Information Centre.
Agreement with the National Library of China to deliver Chinese serials material via the Internet.

Role in the University and in the Community

The Library's role to serve the University is indicated in its Mission Statement and Goals. In the Community, it interacts through a variety of means, including

Maintenance of extensive research collections in specified disciplines.
Reciprocal access and borrowing agreements with local institutions and the community in the ACT, Australia and overseas.
Participation in the Australian Bibliographic Network and support for a distributed national collection.
Participation in international networks for information retrieval and document delivery.
Access to worldwide network resources through ELISA.
Cooperation with the National Library of Australia and the CSIRO (ACT) in the development of collections through a consultative process which includes ANU academic staff.
Organisation of the national datasets policy for Australian university libraries.
Liaison with libraries in the Asia and Pacific region for exchange and acquisition purposes.

STRATEGIC ISSUES

University libraries are shifting from a custodial to an access role in a rapidly evolving networked society. The University library, by facilitating access to global information, in addition to filtering and synthesizing sources of information, has a new and vital role to play in the University research, teaching and learning environment.

The Library will strengthen existing relationships and forge new alliances with other IT providers, both on and off campus, while continuing to act as a catalyst to promote, in particular

the delivery of networked information services, based on global access and rapid delivery, to the individual user's desktop, regardless of time or location.
the establishment and monitoring of value-added library and information services and network training to the wider community, within Australia and the region. Collaboration with the National Library of Australia on the proposed National Asian Information Centre is of crucial importance in this context.
awareness, development and use of appropriate information technologies to facilitate teaching and research, including electronic publishing.
an expansion of the Library's training role in the area of IT literacy skills tailored to the needs of user groups on campus.
a library structure with a high degree of flexibility to accommodate changes and quality service support mechanisms.

GOALS, OBJECTIVES, PERFORMANCE INDICATORS & STRATEGIES

Goal 1. To provide timely access to information sources

Information is a resource which underpins the work of the scholarly community. Timely access is required to enable the university community to achieve excellence in teaching and research. The provision of access may include on site holdings, the means to identify and locate items elsewhere, and document delivery from other institutions, on a world wide basis.

Objectives to achieve this goal are to:

Acquire each year those materials required for research and teaching according to agreed needs and allocation formulae.
Provide an efficient inter-library loan and document supply service on a world wide basis for items not held in ANU collections.
Provide, facilitate and encourage use of desktop information and delivery services.
Provide, within budgetary constraints, opening hours tailored to research and teaching needs.
Ensure online access to bibliographic records representing the material housed and accessed by the Library.

Performance indicators will be :

Minimal * supply times for receipt and processing of requested material
Maximum * satisfaction of users in terms of relevance and availability of material
Maximum * ease of access and use of services and resources
Optimal * hours of opening

Strategies include:

Formulating and maintaining a collection management plan.
Negotiating and allocating funds to broad subject areas according to the size and composition of user groups.
Providing special access conditions for material in high demand for course work developing 24 hour access through electronic format.
Maximising the use of electronic request and delivery services, and ensuring fast availability of documents.
Providing direct access to information and data published electronically on the Internet.

Goal 2. To promote and facilitate the use of existing and new information services and products

Scholars require knowledge of information resources available on a local, national and international basis. Skilled use of these resources increases their usefulness in both teaching and research. Students require information skills for their studies and to enhance productivity in their future careers. The Library will focus on providing training in the technologies relevant to teaching and learning and on making users aware of appropriate resources.

Objectives to achieve this goal are to:

Develop users' knowledge of resources available on a local, national and international basis.
Promote and facilitate the use of electronic services and databases.
Assist users to find information relevant to their subject disciplines.
Provide adequate space to house material and provide access to data, user friendly equipment and instruction in the use of equipment.

Performance indicators will be:

Extent of awareness of resources available
Extent of use of particular information services and products
Extent to which users are able to identify, locate and access wanted materials and information
Extent of satisfaction with services and products

Strategies include:

Developing and maintaining the ANU Library web site as the gateway to world wide information sources.
Advising on relevant network services which can be accessed and software required.
Providing individual or group training in the use of information sources in cooperation with other IT service providers on campus.
Investigating and testing database technology to support major databases of academic interest.

Goal 3. To provide efficient consultation mechanisms to ascertain information needs, determine priorities and adapt services to specific groups and disciplines within the ANU scholarly community

The Library must consult with the University community to develop quality management of user focussed services.

Objectives to achieve this goal are to:

Develop effective communication between the Library and the University's teaching and research community.
Increase opportunities for user interaction and feedback.
Develop information services and products tailored to the needs of specific groups.

Performance indicators will be:

The number and effectiveness of channels of communication
Extent to which the university community takes an active interest in library services
Extent of satisfaction with consultation mechanisms

Strategies include:

Consulting regularly with Faculties/Schools/Departments to ascertain user needs, placing particular emphasis on research and implementation of recommendations from subject liaison (advisory) committees.
Canvassing and considering user opinion across campus.
Communicating with academic staff and students to ensure they are aware of resources available for teaching and research.

Goal 4. To maintain the provision of services by best management practices, demonstrating leadership in the innovative use of resources and technology

The new information environment requires that the Library management infrastructure must be able to accommodate change readily while maintaining efficiency in its operations. It must also gain adequate financial support to achieve its mission of excellence.

Objectives to achieve this goal are to:

Maintain a high and credible profile within the University, the tertiary sector and the community which will create support for and enhance the reputation of the institution.
Allocate the Library's budget according to priorities.
Work in co-operation with other areas of the University to develop, introduce and advise on new techniques for the transmission of scholarly information.
Foster entrepreneurial activity.
Make effective use of the Library's buildings, space, collections and equipment to satisfy user, staff and safety needs.

Performance measures will be:

Extent to which unit costs of operations are reduced or maintained
Reputation of the Library both within the University and on the national and international scene
Optimal allocation of overall resources between stock, staff and equipment
Benefits accrued to the Library and the University through both internal and external cooperation

Strategies include:

Being actively involved in the planning of new University initiatives which require additional Library resources.
Maximising the efficiency of Library operations.
Monitoring information technology developments relating to the network.
Working with academic staff on campus to develop electronic publishing skills required for teaching or research.
Providing services for the local community on a commercial basis.
Providing advice and consultancy services on a local, national and international basis.

Goal 5. To optimise resource sharing at a local, regional, national and international level

Co-operation and collaboration at all levels is essential to maximise access to a wide range of information resources.

Objectives to achieve this goal are to:

Increase cooperation and resource sharing at the national and international level.
Maintain and develop awareness of international trends in access to information.

Performance indicators will be:

Benefits accrued from participation in cooperative ventures
Extent to which the Library is able to draw on cooperative arrangements to supplement its own resources
Maximal satisfaction of users in terms of availability of items wanted

Strategies include:

Increasing access to information resources in the ACT thus reducing duplication of expensive serial and other holdings.
Working with the National Library of Australia to establish the proposed National Asian Information Centre on the ANU campus.
Contributing to the National Bibliographic Database by adding holdings of ANU serials, monographs and theses.
Contributing to the work of bodies such as CAUL (Committee of Australian University Librarians).
Continuing to encourage the exchange of information and experience between ANU and international information providers through both formal and informal agreements for the benefit of ANU research, teaching and learning needs.

Goal 6 . To develop and encourage a highly skilled and motivated staff committed to the achievement of the Library's mission

The staff of the Library must be aware of and attuned to the changing information environment. Relevant staff development programs are necessary to extend and maintain skills and to measure staff performance.

Objectives to achieve this goal are to:

Develop an active and ongoing training policy to ensure that all staff at all levels realise their full potential to meet the Library's needs and the needs of the user.
Develop an environment in which staff of all levels can actively contribute to quality services.
Implement an agreed performance development and evaluation scheme, in accordance with University guidelines.
Foster creativity and innovation to achieve goals.

Performance indicators will be:

Extent of understanding of users' information needs and transfer into quality services provided
Quality of staff assistance and support to users
Reputation of the Library in the profession
Productivity of staff
Staff morale strategies include:
- Identifying training needs systematically and providing opportunities and release time for staff to develop new skills to best meet Library and user needs.
- Assisting staff to develop personal, professional and technical work related skills.
- Developing, planning and extending opportunities for staff to acquire experience and knowledge beyond immediate work related skills to meet future Library needs.
- Encouraging staff flexibility, a user oriented focus and input into proposed new initiatives.
- By the end of 1995 developing work performance measures and training staff in their application.

EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE AND STRATEGIES

Performance indicators will be reviewed on an annual basis, as part of the annual review of the Strategic Plan. However, as these are only indicators, evaluation of overall performance must be an ongoing process, incorporating input from all segments of the University community and using judgement to compare achievements with the objectives of the Library, the ANU and with those of other major research University libraries.

* = best possible consistent with economic factors