Northern Kentucky University

Mission

Steely Library partners with its users in their quest for information—through access, through innovation, and through its people.

Vision

We seek to become the information resource of first choice for the NKU community and to be a noted center for excellence in our collections relating to the history and heritage of our region.

Key Action Areas

Curriculum

To enable our users to thrive in a world that is increasingly information-based, we must help them to develop skills to effectively find, evaluate, and use appropriate information resources.

Collections

To be the primary source of information for our users, we must provide and preserve access to the richest array of resources possible.

Public Engagement

To support the University's commitment to civic engagement, the Library and its faculty must develop opportunities for creative projects to address community needs appropriate to our expertise.

Measurement & Assessment

To ensure that we are effectively and efficiently meeting user needs, we must develop a culture of assessment and adopt appropriate tools and techniques to measure our progress.

Technology

To ensure program excellence, we will deploy state-of-the-art technology as appropriate.

Development

With the realization that state support provides the essentials and that private support is necessary to support excellence, we must expand private giving and grant funding for Steely Library's efforts.

Marketing

To ensure full utilization of Library facilities, collections, and expertise, internal and external marketing and communications must be fully integrated into the planning and operations processes.

Faculty Development

In order to meet the challenges of 21st century librarianship, we must develop a faculty body that is both prepared and engaged in the profession and the University community.

Staff Development

In order to meet the challenges and needs of the 21st century library clientele, we must enhance staff skills.

Goals and Objectives

Curriculum

Goal: Expand the focus and reach of the Steely Library Instructional Program.

• Objective 1: Expand the implementation of the information literacy sequential curriculum: A Sequential Curriculum Plan @ W. Frank Steely Library, as a critical aspect of an NKU degree program and the foundation to life-long learning skills for our graduates.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Extend instructional presentation program to include online course sessions – live or via pre-designed instructional guides.
    • RIS will investigate options such as Blackboard Librarian, online class sessions, etc. to be involved with web-based courses with information literacy instruction and research assistance.
      • Blackboard customizable course cartridges have been developed are offered for direct uploads to course instructors.
      • Online tutorials utilizing Wimba and Captivate are available for all levels and subject disciplines; additional course-specific tutorials are developed in collaboration with course instructors.
  • Strategy B: Create online instruction modules as a means to extend the number of NKU classes reached by our Information Literacy Sequential Curriculum and to better collaborate with instructors teaching in a web or blended environment.
• Objective 2: Evaluate new avenues for teaching information literacy skills to our students, either through a standalone course or through an "across the curriculum" approach.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Continue to create new courses for the ongoing Bachelor of Library Informatics program.
    • Pursue a second IMLS grant to expand access to scholarship program to areas of the state not targeted under the first grant.
  • Strategy B: Expand instructional offerings both in the fields of library and information science as well as information literacy within the other disciplines taught at NKU.
  • Strategy C: Provide programming in reading, library resources, and research skills development for College of Education students and working school teachers and librarians in the northern Kentucky area in support of requirements from the College of Education and the state of Kentucky for professional portfolio development.

Collections

Goal: Provide and preserve access to the richest array of information resources possible.

• Objective 1: Develop strategies to optimize the mix between access and ownership of resources.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Continue assessing usage data to determine subscribed journal holdings and databases.
  • Strategy B: Further refine the procedures of information brokerage and interlibrary loan to produce one seamless process for users.
  • Strategy C: Investigate implementation of a federated searching tool to maximize user access to electronic resources.
  • Strategy D: Continue cooperative collection building through participation in FoKAL
  • Strategy E: Pursue digital initiatives to increase and broaden available resources.
    • Examine collections in Special Collections & Archives to determine where digitization is beneficial and possible.
• Objective 2: Improve the effectiveness of collection management in order to maximize resources.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Identify criteria for determining resources for new and continuing programs and courses.
  • Strategy B: Revise the Collection Policy for Special Collections & Archives and share with those people who are collecting on behalf of the department.

Public Engagement

Goal: Develop public engagement efforts both as a Library and on the part of the Steely Library faculty by actively seeking opportunities, and by facilitating and encouraging efforts by individual employees.

• Objective 1: Increase the number of community engagement projects undertaken by Steely faculty and staff.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Communicate library priorities to faculty/staff to generate ideas for fundable projects.
  • Strategy B: Provide increased awareness of available grants and funding sources through e-mail announcements and other appropriate means of communication.
  • Strategy C: Investigate more effective means of communicating funding opportunities and funded programs/awards to faculty/staff.
  • Strategy D: Advertise Cash Incentive Award program.
• Objective 2: Develop regular, on-going public programming events.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Utilize the resources available through the American Library Association's Public Programs.
  • Strategy B: Continue to build our partnership with the Friends of Steely Library in the funding of programs aimed at the community.
  • Strategy C: Investigate the best means for structuring public programming by the library.
  • Strategy D: Collaborate with other faculty/units on campus as appropriate on public programs.
• Objective 3: Increase faculty scholarly/creative service activities that would engage the library with the surrounding community.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Promote and encourage faculty to apply for University-Community Partnership Grants.
  • Strategy B: Encourage faculty teaching a course to incorporate service learning projects into their curriculum.
  • Strategy C: Advertise and promote the current community service projects engaged in by the library faculty.

Measurement & Assessment

Goal: Create a culture of assessment throughout the Library.

• Objective 1: Assessment Work Team will coordinate the effort to increase levels of awareness of assessment efforts.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Continue to refine assessment plan.
  • Strategy B: Investigate ways to implement a culture of assessment throughout the Library's operations.
• Objective 3: In conjunction with Marketing Work Team, continue to investigate means for obtaining user feedback.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Review and evaluate effectiveness of suggestion boxes.
  • Strategy B: Continue to seek collaborative means to gather data, e.g. OPAC usability testing.
• Objective 4: Optimize internal data collection within Steely Library.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Investigate standardization of reports generated throughout the Library.
  • Strategy B: Determine what data is needed and/or lacking as well as that which is no longer needed.
  • Strategy C: Determine what data needs to be accessible and how to best make data centrally available.

Technology

Goal: Deploy state-of-the-art technology as a support for program excellence.

• Objective 1: Identify and implement technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness in managing physical collections.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Implement an RFID system to improve speed and accuracy of the inventory process, and to eventually allow self checkout
  • Strategy B: Purchase and install compact shelving in the Special Collections and Archives area and other areas where space optimization is important.
• Objective 2: Update Steely Library's infrastructure to meet current standards.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Work with IT to identify physical wiring upgrades needed for improved access.
  • Strategy B: Increase server space to support increase in digital resources available to patrons
• Objective 3: Improve information search capabilities to better empower Library users to find the best data to fit their needs.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Work with Voyager Team in revising and enhancing the Voyager OPAC.
    • Continue to create alternative entry points for NKUIRE
    • Create ways to add archival material [non-book material] into the OPAC
  • Strategy B: Work with Voyager Team to maintain usability testing for the Voyager OPAC
  • Strategy C: Investigate and implement new technology tools in support of the instructional mission of the Library.
  • Strategy D: With the formation of the Digital Initiatives Work Team in 2009, investigate the implementation of metasearching.
• Objective 4: Make the Steely Library virtual presence both a more effective channel for the dissemination of Library information and a better tool for use in the Library's instructional mission.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Work with the Web Librarian in improving web access for portable devices (e.g. BlackBerry)
    • Use web standards and accessibility guidelines to ensure greatest possible device interdependence.
    • Test and validate pages regularly to ensure guidelines are followed consistently.
    • Implement a template that uses a proper logical content order and a semantic structure for pages.
  • Strategy B: Convert parts of the site into database driven engines which can be edited via web forms.
    • With the assistance of the Web Team, build parts of the site in PHP.
    • With the assistance of the Web Team, create web forms so people can add their own content, such as news, without coding.
  • Strategy C: Use Web Team and the Marketing Work Team to ensure content is up-to-date.
    • Have Web Team members review portions of the site under their purview.
    • Let Web Team approve suggested top-level changes.
    • Consult with the Marketing Committee as necessary.
  • Strategy D: Create systems adequate to support digital collections, archives, and repositories.
  • Strategy E: Integrate library resources into Blackboard.
  • Strategy G: Evaluate new Web 2.0 technology/software for usefulness in meeting other goals. Obtain training/software if it merits use.
  • Strategy H: Oversee the implementation of a digitization plan for the Library (Digital Initiatives Work Team).
• Objective 4: Keep library web content current.
  • Implement a content management system (CMS).
  • Have the Steely Web Committee serve as a conduit for official, general web content such as "Library News."
  • Have the web committee create a matrix of content ownership in order that web content can be edited and maintained by those who create the content.
  • Provide training for faculty and staff to edit web content.
  • Create guidelines that include timelines for submitting official content, such as news items, to the web committee.
  • Create guidelines which suggest a timeline for departments to read and revise departmental web content.
  • Strategy A: Investigate the implementation of an institutional repository (DIWT).
• Objective 5: Ensure that the privacy of critical user and internal data is not compromised.

Development

Goal 1: Expand Steely Library's "margin for excellence" by increasing the level of private giving and increasing the level of grant-funded support.

• Objective 1: Complete the fundraising for the Archives Project, Phase II.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Begin formal planning process in cooperation with NKU Architecture Dept.
  • Strategy B: Build comprehensive effort combining grant-seeking, philanthropy, and potential government support.
• Objective 2: Increase number of first time major donors.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Creatively use non-traditional electronic tools to prospect for donors currently not on the University's radar.
  • Strategy B: Look for opportunities to approach NKU alumni who have moved out of the immediate region.
• Objective 3: Increase level of giving by current donors.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Increase the number of FOSL Life members by 10 per year.
  • Strategy B: Increase the number of FOSL members at all other levels by 25%
  • Strategy C: Increase the number and size of donors to the Library Services Account
    
    • i. Develop and complete spring mailing.
    • ii. Use spring mailing to identify potential major donors for cultivation.
• Objective 4: Increase the number of grant applications.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Through mentorship and encouragement, increase faculty involvement in grant writing process to better leverage the time of Grants Officer.
  • Strategy B: Encourage faculty to actively seek out partnerships with both internal and external entities.
  • Strategy C: Explore resources available on campus through Research, Grants, & Contracts.

Marketing

Goal 1: Build a marketing orientation within the Library, leading to better communication of library services, creating heightened perceptions of value among the University's internal and external constituencies.

• Objective 1: Marketing Work Team will create a formal marketing/communication plan.
  The following documents were completed summer 2009: Strategic Marketing Communication Plan Draft, Executive Summary, and Timeline. Will be presented to Library September 2009.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Consult with campus experts such as Marketing professors and Marketing & Communications Department staff.
    • MKT 492 Advanced Marketing Research class has conducted Faculty and Student Focus groups. Presented team with Qualitative Research findings from the focus groups.
  • Strategy B: Investigate consulting with NKU's Marketing Research Partnering Program.
  • Strategy C: Redesign the liaison program in context of marketing efforts.
    (Liaison program is addressed in Strategic Marketing Communication Plan).

Goal 2: Build an internal marketing orientation within the Library, leading to better communication of library services, events, and projects between Library employees (In Strategic Marketing Communication Plan).

• Objective 1: Improve interdepartmental communications.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Complete the Steely Showcase sessions during FY 2010 by offering sessions in Administration, Access Services and Systems.
  • Strategy B: Create a more effective central repository for internal Library information (e.g., blogs, Intranet, directory structure).
    • Keep records management in mind, what will be the record copy and who will be responsible for maintaining it?
    • Investigate wiki technology as a means of updating library manuals
  • Strategy C: Encourage redundant channels of communication.

Goal 3: Work to make Steely Library an example of excellence in terms of "Library as Place."

• Objective 1: Continue to remodel and renovate to make the building more flexible in meeting the needs of today and tomorrow.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Complete the reconfiguration of the third floor.
  • Strategy B: Continue to develop the Loggia as a comfortable place for group gathering and as a flexible space for Library events.
  • Strategy C: Continue to identify spaces for renovation needs as funding permits.
• Objective 2: Improve navigation throughout the building.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Review and revise signage and maps to enable users to more effectively use building resources.
• Objective 3: Make the Steely Library environment more intellectually stimulating and enjoyable through special events.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Bring performers to the Loggia for live performances.

Faculty Development

Goal: Develop a faculty body that is well prepared to meet the challenges of 21st century librarianship and is engaged in the profession and the community.

• Objective 1: Provide an environment that supports the faculty's engagement in the profession and the community.
• Objective 2: Improve hiring process to ensure that new faculty has the skills and abilities needed to function as faculty and are fully aware of the expectations of the University regarding faculty responsibilities.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Ensure that the matter of faculty expectations and responsibilities is adequately addressed in position advertisements and at various points in the interview process: 1) in a session with the RPT Committee; 2) within the supervisor interview; and 3) within the Associate Provost's interview.
• Objective 3: Build an effective mentoring program to encourage the development of junior faculty as they progress through the tenure process.

Staff Development

Goal 1: Enhance staff skills to better meet the needs of a 21st century library.

• Objective 1: Build staff awareness of best practices at other institutions and throughout the field.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Continue to develop the Library Staff Blackboard site as a repository for information related to best practices, staff development opportunities, etc.
• Objective 2: Investigate ways in which staff from units throughout the Library can participate in an internal professional development program to become aware of programming in areas of the Library beyond their primary assignment.
  
  
  • Strategy A: Encourage supervisors to foster staff cross-training as appropriate
  • Strategy B: Evaluate strategies for creating social opportunities for the employees of Steely Library, encouraging involvement from all constituencies.
    
    • i. Establish a monthly informal coffee meeting for faculty and staff members.
    • ii. Establish a quarterly reception to welcome new Library faculty and staff members.
    • iii. Establish other avenues such as a newsletter, employee recognition, and social gatherings (picnic)

With suggested updates as of 9/3/09

Last revised October 2008