Objective 3.1: Redesign the Libraries’ website in acknowledgement of its current role as our first and most used service point.
Near-term Projects:
- Hire Web Services Librarian with a start date of summer 2010. Completed AY 2009-2010
- Hire professional library user experience consultants to study the effectiveness of our current website for local users. Completed AY 2009-2010
- Work with Public Affairs to assess the future of the College website and CMS, and the appropriate place for the libraries within that system. Done, Spring 2011
- Develop a framework for library web design at SUNY Potsdam that incorporates best practices in education website design, the consultants’ usability studies, and the priorities of Public Affairs, with the needs of the Libraries. Done Fall 2010
Long-term Projects:
- Redesign the Libraries’ website from the ground up, implementing as soon as is feasible. Done 2012.
- Review all key policies and services to ensure that they are accessible to web-only users. Done 2012.
Objective 3.2: We will assess the role of library information systems – search, inventory, and management – in the modern information environment and respond accordingly.
Near-term Projects
- Decide on a strategy for accessing monographic materials in answer to the question “what is the first point of access for users searching for books?” considering our native catalog, catalog overlay software, external catalogs, and other options. Done Fall 2010
- Decide on a strategy for accessing scores and sound recordings in answer to the question “what is the first point of access for users searching for music?” considering our native catalog, catalog overlay software, external catalogs, and other options. Done Fall 2010
- Decide on a strategy for accessing online indexed materials, considering native interfaces, aggregating content with single vendors, federated search software, subject portals, and other options. Implementation of EDS begun Summer 2013.
- Revisit the decisions made regarding e-cataloging in 2003, and develop a new plan for 2010-2015. Begun as part of EDS implementation, Summer 2013.
- Choose an archival information management system, and begin implementation to ensure users have access to the material housed in the College Archives. Done 2012.
Long-term Projects:
- In light of decisions made about key services, develop a plan to align cataloging resources with our goals, considering level of in-house cataloging and customization, in-house needs for specialized cataloging, and other issues raised by discussion. Goals modified by Shared Services, and plan developed, Winter 2012. Implementation expected Summer 2013.
- Review and adapt music cataloging policies as appropriate to reflect current search technology and user needs. Will be impacted by EDS implementation; new timeline goal is fall 2013.
Objective 3.3: We will ensure that key outreach tasks are aligned with user needs and library goals.
Near-term Projects
- Develop a short-term plan that ensures that reference service is scalable, in line with college and library goals for Handcrafted Educationsustainable with available resources, and responsive to demonstrated user needs. Completed AY 2009-2010
- Develop a short-term plan designed to ensure that course-based information literacy instruction is scalable, in line with college and library goals for Handcrafted Educationsustainable with available resources, and responsive to demonstrated user needs. Done 2012, given current resources.
Long-term Projects:
- In light of decisions made about key services, develop a long-term plan to align reference resources with our goals, considering emerging opportunities and priorities, the role of the website and the role of technology in library help desks, professional values and institutional resources, and other issues raised by discussion. Begun, Summer 2011, discussions continued in 2012 and 2013.
- In light of decisions made about key services, develop a long-term plan to align information literacy resources with our goals, considering emerging collaborations, the role of the website and other online information services in reaching users, professional values and institutional needs, and other issues raised by discussion. Discussions ongoing between Information Literacy team and Director of Libraries.
Objective 3.4: We will expand on our highly successful Interlibrary Loan service by implementing just-in-time resource acquisition to complement our just-in-case processes.
Near-term Projects:
- Explore participation in SUNY-wide just-in-time purchasing projects. Pilot projects begun summer 2012.
- Combine workflows and staffing in acquisitions and Interlibrary Loan to facilitate smooth integration of new processes. Completed AY 2009-2010
- Implement GIST or another similar management tool for new selection processes. Begun, fall 2011. Postponed pending hiring of shared ILL Specialist in fall 2012. On hold due to software flaws.
Objective 3.5: We will ensure that our collection development policies and practices are in line with our mission and goals.
Near-term Projects:
- Evaluate and expand weeding policies and planning so that we are poised to meet emerging collection needs. Done 2012.
- Evaluate and formalize the role of the College Archives in collecting, preserving, and making accessible the College’s history, including an assessment of the role of artifacts and memorabilia to maintaining the College’s history. Completed Fall 2012 with creation of Strategic Plan for the College Archives.
Long-term Projects:
- In light of decisions made about key services, develop a plan to align our collection development policies with our goals, including evaluation of fund allocation, liaison and outreach activities, collection priorities, and other issues that emerge from discussion. Begun 2012 with discussion of current funding model and alignment of resources. Continued Summer 2013 at Library Faculty Retreat.
- Evaluate and formalize the College’s Dspace implementation as a repository of local scholarship and creative endeavors. DSpace repository suspended from active collecting in Winter 2011; planned re-vitalization January 2013 with hiring of new Discovery Metadata librarian. New implementation plan expected Summer 2013.
- Evaluate and amend as necessary the collecting relationship between the College Libraries and the Sheard Literacy Center in light of overlapping missions and the need to collaborate for success. Preliminary discussion begun Spring 2012, continued Summer 2013.
