University Library reorganizes and unveils a new strategic plan

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BY McMaster University Library

November 13, 2008

The University Library has recently unveiled a new strategic plan and organizational structure to reflect its commitment to being recognized as Canada's most innovative, user-centred academic library. The new plan, which covers the period 2008 to 2011, sets an ambitious course for the Library and its staff. The re-imaged Library will:

  • Contribute to the creation and transfer of new knowledge by securing long-term, sustainable access to quality research materials and by promoting and preserving McMaster's unique contributions to research and creative scholarship.

  • Establish ourselves as the center for teaching and learning at McMaster by fostering innovation and excellence in the classroom and by partnering with faculty to teach students to be 21st Century fluent.

  • Position ourselves as leaders in the provision of responsive and professional customer service design to meet current and emerging needs.

  • Proactively, creatively and enthusiastically market the library as the premier information service provider on and off campus.

  • Develop an evidence-based culture enabling change while emphasizing ambitious goal-setting, strategic risk-taking, entrepreneurship, and continuous quality improvement.

  • Actively recruit, develop and retain a diverse, team-oriented, highly-skilled, technologically-fluent flexible and superlative staff.

  • Strive for financial health through alignment, accountability, innovative partnerships, improved business practices, and creative development initiatives.

    • To further these objectives, the University Library is pleased to announce the following key appointments:

    Vivian Lewis, Associate University Librarian, Organizational Analysis, Planning and Accountability

    Vivian's new team will oversee the development and support of the Library's key strategic priorities through effective planning, funding, marketing, assessment and overall project management.

    Jeannie An, Director 21st Century Fluencies / Liaison Program

    Jeannie and her team of Liaison Librarians will identify and develop strategies to address key “fluencies”-including scientific fluency, information fluency and media fluency-in the undergraduate curricula in the arts and humanities, sciences and social sciences.

    Kathy Ball, Director, Assessment

    In her new role, which will begin in January 2009, Kathy will coordinate all library assessment activities. She will provide leadership for data collection and analysis which will help to achieve service improvements that will benefit students, faculty and staff.

    Barbara McDonald, Scholarly Communication Librarian

    Barbara's role is to work with faculty and students to determine the best option for their research dissemination (open access, retaining author rights, archiving data, publishing raw research, etc.) In addition she will provide a solid infrastructure for e-scholarship creation and dissemination at McMaster (e-theses, open access and hybrid journals, data archiving etc.)

    Donna Millard, Strategic Priorities Librarian

    In this position, Donna will be responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating assigned projects in support of the Library's mission. Emphasis will be given to projects that enhance customer service and involve emerging technologies.

    For more information, or to download a more detailed version of the strategic plan, please visit the following website http://library.mcmaster.ca/mission.