Strategic Plan 2006-2009

Library

One Library

Australian Catholic University is operating within a rapidly changing educational and industrial environment. Student numbers are increasing, areas of teaching and learning have changed, online teaching has expanded, and there is greater emphasis on research.

The Library serves the whole University, seeking to balance a library-wide perspective with local delivery. Our six campus libraries, which vary in size, provide a welcoming environment and collections in a variety of formats. The Electronic Services Unit coordinates access to digital information. In an environment made increasingly complex by the changing nature of resource provision, we are simplifying access and extending our services through online delivery. We are now reaching more students with our Information Literacy program and working more closely with other areas of the University.

The first Strategic Plan (2003-2005) was successful in reorienting the Library toward unified development. Focusing attention on the needs of our clients and the way we provide resources, it required staff from all campuses to work together. It encouraged the library to take advantage of the recent developments in technology and to take the first steps toward a library-wide approach to acquiring resources. Much, however, remains to be done. In this Strategic Plan we commit ourselves to working as One Library to meet the challenges of the changing University and information environment.

Strategic Priorities 2006-2009

1. Know and meet client needs
2. Provide the right resources
3. Transform access to the Library
4. Develop our skills
5. Be ready in a changing environment

Strategic Priority 1 - Know and meet client needs

In order to provide our clients with the resources and services that they need we have to know what they need and want. The bi-annual Rodski Client Satisfaction Survey has provided direct feedback and valuable benchmarking data. This has had a significant influence on library planning, however more can be done to make use of the findings. Using the data from other University surveys, using other instruments and conducting focus groups will extend our knowledge of our clients further and enable us to provide better support to groups with particular needs.

Strategic Priority 2 - Provide the right resources

During the life of this Strategic Plan we will continue to develop a collection that meets the needs of our clients. The focus will be on managing as well as building the collection. We will work towards an efficient and cost-effective mix of online and print resources, keeping a close eye on the marketplace. We will further develop Library and University digital collections and make them available on the internet.

Strategic Priority 3 - Transform access to the Library

In order to address the changing way in which our clients are using the Library, we want to provide simple and integrated access to our collection and services, applying new approaches and technologies.

Strategic Priority 4 - Develop our skills

As library staff we need to have the skills to do our jobs at a high level. Paying more attention to training opportunities and further developing expertise are essential for the further improvement of service. The spirit in which we operate must be cultivated in our organisational culture and through our preparedness to embrace change.

Strategic Priority 5 - Be ready in a changing environment
In order to provide a service that is current and relevant we must recognise emerging trends and opportunities. We must be flexible in our thinking and able to change, seeking out new ideas and technologies. We need to review what we do and how we do it regularly judiciously moving the service forward. We need to promote the Library so that clients are aware of all that we have to offer.