Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery Vision for FY2006-2010
The Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery strives to meet the needs of a research university and continues to support a distinctive undergraduate experience. We will provide the highest quality information, resources and services for UMBC’s growing and evolving teaching, learning, research and service environment.Library development during the time period 2006-2010, the initial five years of the Library planning document,* will focus on the following major initiatives:
- Assessing library services and engaging the campus community in planning for enhancements. Actively seek campus input to help define library priorities, to identify new initiatives and to assess services to users. Communicate with the campus community about library issues, challenges and accomplishments.
- Improving access to library resources. / Increase digital initiatives to provide access to digital and non-print collections and provide full and enduring access to the Library’s electronic resources. Continue to develop the Library’s web presence, and collaborate with USMAI (University System of Maryland and Affiliated Institutions) colleagues to improve online access to our shared resources. Identify methods and resources to provide access to the Library’s uncataloged collections. Establish a schedule for inventorying and weeding the Library’s collections.
- Reconfiguring library space to provide a physical environment that supports emerging goals and priorities. Develop an Information Commons on the first floor of the Library, with emphasis on student activity spaces and effective use of information technology. Reallocate and reutilize space to respond to changes in library priorities and user needs. Address issues of facility renewal and maintenance and improving library building security.
- Pursuing goals in partnership with allies. Continue to participate actively in consortial partnerships, particularly the USMAI, to promote resource sharing and to improve services while enhancing cost effectiveness. Collaborate with faculty to engage students in using information effectively to become life-long learners and to incorporate information literacy into campus plans and priorities. Plan for an off-site repository for library materials with appropriate partners, such as UMCP and Johns Hopkins University. Collaborate with faculty and campus administration to address issues related to the changing patterns of scholarly communication.
- Assessing the library organizational structure to optimize the allocation of resources to meet user needs and the library vision. Explore alternatives to the current organizational structure in order to position the Library to take advantage of opportunities provided by internal and external changes. Reorganize workflows and practices for optimal effectiveness in our use of library technologies and resources. Foster participation and collaboration among staff across departmental lines.
- Providing library staff and faculty with sufficient resources to excel in performing their service mission to the campus. Seek resources to expand staff development opportunities and provide effective, timely job-related training. Encourage effective communication and involvement of all staff. Formalize mentoring programs for staff and faculty, and work to create an environment that supports leadership development.
* See the Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery Plan for FY2006-2016 for a more detailed description of initiatives. Specific development plans for the period 2011 through 2016 will be reviewed before the end of 2010.
3/16/2006