2008-2012 FAU Libraries Strategic PlanRevised April 2008 |
Table of Contents
Goal 4: Meeting Community Needs
Goal 5: Building a State of the Art Information Technology Environment
Goal 7: Increasing FAU Libraries Visibility
Strategic Plan |
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Select, acquire, manage, preserve and provide access to collections to support the information needs of the diverse groups of the FAU community. I.A. Objective: Train librarian liaisons in the Collection Development Unit to select materials, acquire materials that support the curriculum, instruction, and research mission of the University in a timely manner, and keep the University informed of important collection development news. Outcomes: Time delays will be minimized and broader input from faculty members will be achieved through updating and modifying procedures for the selection of materials. The use of new technologies and evolving formats will be facilitated by the review and revision of Collection Development policies.
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Strategy 1: Establish a more efficient system of distributing approval slips and firm
orders in order to cut down on the turn around time in ordering materials.
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Baseline: Supporting Department or Unit:
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Multi-part paper slips are currently being used by selectors and Technical
Services. Test the turn around time of moving paper ordering forms. Make recommendations for improvement. In the future also test the turn around time of receiving and submitting electronic forms. A system that works more efficiently will replace or improve the current system. All campus Libraries 2008-2010 Technical Services Collection Development Unit |
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Strategy 2: Create and assess a new collection development program to better work with department faculty representatives of important information.
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Baseline:
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Some resources have been developed. Survey the faculty Determine how the faculty representatives want to receive information about collection development and in what ways the selectors can improve faculty representative relations. Boca Raton Annually, on a rotating basis Collection Development Unit |
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Strategy 3: Solicit input from the University faculty in the evaluation of current resources relevant to their subject areas.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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Collection Development Liaisons have contacted faculty in the past
concerning collection development resources. Survey the faculty The faculty will have input in the evaluation process that will determine the retention or cancellation of subscription electronic resources. The faculty will have input into the direction of the print and media resources. Boca Raton, Jupiter, and Port St. Lucie 2008-2009 Collection Development Unit Electronic Resources Department |
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I.B. Objective: Manage the collection and its organization. Outcomes: The most current versions of the Libraries’ management software will provide optimal administration and delivery. The Libraries’ website will create access to electronic resources and services in an easy to use interface.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit:
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Some subject areas of the collection have been examined, but no regular
program has been established. Collection analysis tools. The Collection Development Selectors will make recommendations to improve the Libraries holdings. Boca Raton Annually, on a rotating basis Collection Development Unit |
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Strategy 2:
Determine if the FAU collection supports the research needs of Master’s and
PhD students.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit:
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No study has been conducted. Citation analysis of all dissertations over the past 5 years, compared to FAU library collections. On a rotating schedule, study dissertations from each college and recommend how to improve the collection. Boca Raton, Jupiter Annually, on a rotating basis Collection Development Unit |
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Strategy 3:
Select materials to be moved to the Florida shared storage facility.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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Inventory of available space on the Library Stacks is regularly checked. The collection will be surveyed. Selected materials will either be moved to the shared storage facility or discarded to create more space in the library stacks. All campus Libraries Unknown: Monitor the progress on the construction of the shared storage facility and begin to create procedures for selecting materials. Administration (while the libraries are monitoring the situation) Collection Development Unit, Technical Services |
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I.C. Objective: Provide access to the collections through the Libraries' online catalog, Website, electronic resources, and digital collections. Outcome: Library collections and resources will be easily and widely available to FAU’s distance education and off campus students. Collections that were not previously online and accessible will be made available.
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Strategy 1:
The Digital Library will form collaborations with different FAU departments,
Partner Campus libraries, community organizations and SUS libraries to
develop a collection of digitally produced materials.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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Collaboration with the History Department, which combines sound and text,
and collaboration with the Department of Theater, which includes video,
already exist. Speak with different departments to establish what content the departments hold that could be included in the digital collections and determine what technologies are needed to include the items in the digital collections. Primary resources in many different media formats will be added to the Libraries Website. Boca Raton Ongoing Digital Library Associate Director of Libraries |
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Strategy 2: The organization and language of the Web
interface will be assessed annually for usability to all University community
members.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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A two-stage Web usability study was administered in 2006-2007, first prior
to, then following revision of the home page to conform to University
branding standards. Focus groups, Web usability studies, and Website surveys of other universities will be implemented on a continuous and rotating schedule. Library users will have more efficient access to the Website. Boca Raton, Jupiter Ongoing Web Team Electronic Resource Librarian, Systems Librarian, Public Services, ILL, Library Communications, Partner Campus Libraries |
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I.D. Objective: Preserve materials. Outcomes: Libraries’ resources available to the FAU community will be protected, preserved, and maintained.
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Strategy 1:
Train staff in conservation techniques.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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Two week-long training sessions have been conducted by Robert Muens. Library of Congress binding manual, traditional materials and implements are on hand. Additional tools and materials are acquired in advance of training, as dictated by program content (paper conservation, binding repair, etc). Preservation and conservation will be undertaken in-house; only the most specialized repair or restoration will be contracted out. All staff handling rare materials will understand how to recognize signs of deterioration and fragility, and how to employ appropriate handling in response to damaged books. This will be accomplished through direct training, observing training or through instruction from such an observer. Boca Raton Ongoing, budget permitting Special Collections & Archives Tech Services |
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Support the information needs of the Libraries’ users, the advancement of research, and convenient access to Libraries’ resources by maintaining a user-centered library. II.A. Objective: Incorporate emerging digital technologies to offer access to the Libraries’ resources across various forms. Outcomes: Interactive and social tools will be incorporated into the Libraries Website to improve access to library resources.
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Strategy 1:
Utilize emerging technologies to provide electronic delivery of information to the University community.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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Some podcasts are available. LibQUAL+ 2007 survey and 2007 web usability study results indicated that the FAU community found supplementary information (i.e. web guides) useful if they knew where they were located on the Website. Focus groups and surveys The Libraries’ subject/research guides will be redesigned in a wiki format, there will be a news and announcements blog, and new resources and instructional class information will be delivered via RSS and podcasts All campus Libraries Ongoing Public Services Digital Library, Collection Development Unit, Systems |
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II.B. Objective: Develop and advance the Libraries’ in-house services to facilitate efficient access to Libraries’ resources and communicate all service policies to the FAU community. Outcomes: The Libraries will maintain, revise and enforce circulation policies and communicate those policies to library staff and the FAU community.
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Strategy 1: Assess how aware the students, staff and faculty are of library policies. |
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit:
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The Website was last redesigned in 2007. A web usability study was conducted
from 20006-2007. Students were not aware that policies were available on
the Website, but once they became aware, they were able to locate the
policies more easily. Surveys Students, staff, and faculty are informed of the most current circulation policies. All campus Libraries 2008 Access Services |
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Strategy 2:
Streamline the process of Interlibrary Loan delivery through evaluation of policies and practices.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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The ILL practices have been briefly reviewed but not thoroughly. A work-flow study will be conducted to determine what areas of the ILL process could be improved. The ILL service will become more efficient. All campus Libraries Ongoing ILL Assistant Director of Public Services |
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Promote scholarly inquiry and lifelong learning through the FAU Libraries’ Information Literacy Program with an emphasis on evaluation of students needs, curriculum integration and immersion, and the development of collaborations. III.A. Objective: Evaluate what students know about information literacy and how effectively they use the library when searching for information. Outcomes:The FAU library staff will become better informed about the student's knowledge of information literacy and will alter their teaching methodology to address skills that freshmen students do not understand.
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Strategy 1:
Identify and assess existing and potential forms of outreach to target the distance learning community.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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Some services are in place. A combination of researching other Universities’ distance learning programs and administering surveys and usability studies to establish distance learners’ needs. Distance learners will have access to instructional materials developed specifically for their support in using the Libraries’ Website. All campus Libraries 2008, 2009 Information Literacy and Instructional Services Head of Reference |
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III.B. Objective: Build inter-departmental campus partnerships and collaborations aimed at integrating information literacy into the curriculum through targeted programs. Outcomes: Partnerships will have been established with targeted programs within the FAU community.
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Strategy 1: Collaborate with other Units of the University, which have complementary services, to develop programs to benefit the University community. |
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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No collaborative relationships have been established. Survey university units to determine which have complementary services, and discuss collaboration with such units. The Libraries will have developed joint programs with such units as Writing Center and Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC). Information literacy concepts will be incorporated into WAC courses. Boca Raton 2009, 2010 Head of Reference ILIS Unit |
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Strategy 2:
Assess how to integrate library instructional resources into Blackboard.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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Course Reserves have already been incorporated into BlackBoard. Speak with IRM and test the BlackBoard tools. ILIS department will be trained in BlackBoard and will use certain features to improve instructional sessions. Boca Raton 2008, 2009 ILIS Unit Head of Reference |
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III.C. Objective: Integrate information literacy at all levels of service, from daily reference and instruction activities to long-range planning activities and collaborations. Outcome: The Information Literacy and Instructional Services will work with the faculty to integrate information literacy into the classroom. Information literacy will be integrated into all suitable FAU Libraries services.
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Strategy 1:
Assess what information literacy the FAU faculty teach their students and determine how to better support faculty and students in accessing information about information literacy.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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Some of the faculty brings their students to one-shot bibliographic session
at the library where the students are exposed to information literacy
topics. Establish a baseline of competency among students by random testing at the library. Survey the faculty to determine if they cover information literacy and how/if they want the library to help. FAU Libraries will develop supportive information literacy content to supplement the information provided by the faculty to their students. Boca Raton 2008, 2009 ILIS Unit Head of Reference |
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Strategy 2: Establish a minimum set of common elements and concepts for one-shot information literacy sessions.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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Certain common elements are regularly covered by library instructors. Interview each instructor on the elements of their one-shot session. Create materials such as podcasts to cover the most basic information. Library instructors will be able to focus more class time on the needs of particular students rather than covering basic level library instruction. All students will be given the same information about basic library information literacy. All campus Libraries Ongoing ILIS Unit Head of Reference, Digital Library |
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Goal IV: Meeting Community Needs FAU Libraries will encourage the participation and feedback of the FAU community to better serve their needs. The Libraries will develop and present programs, events, and activities based on the Libraries’ collections to enrich the lives of FAU’s internal and external communities. The Libraries will participate in the outreach initiatives developed by other University Units to promote school unity. IV.A. Objective: Develop lines of communication with the FAU community to gather feedback from the community. Outcomes:All stake holders are informed of Library related issues.
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Strategy 1:
Establish a dialog among the FAU faculty, students, and administrators to exchange information regarding Library related issues.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit:
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Twice a semester a Faculty Advisory Board meeting is held. Create regularly scheduled meetings with the Faculty Advisory Board and the Student Advisory Board. Agenda items should include information from all the campuses that affects the Jupiter and Port St. Lucie campuses. Participation from the faculty and students in library related issues. Jupiter and Port St. Lucie campuses Ongoing Campus Library Director |
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Strategy 2:
Evaluate the general satisfaction of the FAU community concerning the Libraries.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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The Libraries have implemented the LibQUAL+ survey twice, have made a
comment form available through the Libraries’ Website, and are included in
the campus wide evaluation form. Continue to implement the LibQUAL+ survey to compare the results or choose a new method for evaluation. The Libraries will continually try to meet the needs of the FAU community based on feedback. All campus Libraries Ongoing Coordinator of Assessment and Planning All appropriate departments |
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IV.B. Objective: Actively establish direct contact with organizations, colleges, departments, and individuals, to create vested involvement and attendance at Library events. Outcomes: Partnerships and attendance at Library programs and events will increase as will collaborations and partnerships.
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Strategy 1: Create and host exhibitions, lectures, programs, concerts, etc. |
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit:
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Each year many events are sponsored by the Libraries. Research what traveling exhibits may be beneficial to the community and library. Speak with FAU community members about possible events and encourage collaboration. Events will be chosen to complement the FAU Libraries collections and help to increase attendance by the FAU community members to library events. All campus Libraries Ongoing Libraries’ Department of Communications |
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Strategy 2: Create and host exhibitions, lectures, programs, concerts, etc.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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Tie library resources or services to each event. Create a student advisory board for programming events. Increasing numbers of students and visitors who will use library services and resources. Jupiter Ongoing Outreach Collection Development, Access Services |
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Strategy 3: Develop partnerships with faculty and other units to stage events.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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The Jupiter campus collaborated with faculty and administration in planning
and producing a one-day event for the School of Communication and Multimedia
Studies' Courage in Journalism. At Boca Raton, there have been a few events with faculty
partnership. Meet individually with faculty to determine interests for possible programming Greater faculty involvement will bring students to the library. Jupiter and Boca Raton Ongoing Jupiter: Outreach; Boca Raton: Libraries’ Department of Communications Jupiter: Jupiter Collection Development, Access Services, Instruction |
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Goal V: Building a State of the Art Information Technology Environment Continually seek out ways to improve the technology available to the Libraries’ staff and users. Create an environment of education and training for staff and users on new technologies. V.A. Objective: Continually update the Libraries’ technological resources and communicate changes to the Libraries’ staff and users. Outcomes: The Libraries’ technology will serve the needs of the staff and users.
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Strategy 1:
Assess whether the Assistive Technology Workstations meet national standards.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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The workstations were last updated summer of 2006. Research national standards and new technologies. The Assistive Technology Workstations are kept up-to-date, and disabled students have the same software/hardware as the rest of the Library. All campus Libraries Ongoing Systems Access Services |
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Strategy 2:
Evaluate computers and software to determine if the technology is outdated and must be updated.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit:
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Computers were updated last in 2007-2008. Microsoft Office products were
updated on some of the computers in 2007. Surveying the equipment and technology and researching industry standards. The technology found in the Libraries will meet at least the minimum needs of its users. All campus Libraries Ongoing Systems |
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Strategy 3:
Assess the technology needs of the Library faculty and staff and respond to new needs in a timely manner.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit:
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New products and equipment have been ordered for Libraries faculty and staff. The Systems Department will work with Library faculty and staff on researching and determining what products and equipment to order to help the staff with their jobs. Technology needed to support the jobs of the Library staff will be made available. All campus Libraries Ongoing Systems |
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V.B. Objective: Provide training and support to all Library staff on new and emerging technologies. Educate users on how to use the Libraries’ technical equipment. Outcomes: Library staff will be trained in the technologies available at each respective library. Staff will be able to teach each of the Libraries’ users how to navigate all the library technical equipment (which includes but is not limited to copiers, printers, computers, and microfiche machines).
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Strategy 1: Create a training program to make Library staff more proficient in how to use and how to resolve problems with copiers, printers, computers, microfiche readers, and assistive technology workstations. |
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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The library staff has been trained in some areas. Assess the knowledge and competence level of staff through a proficiency test, when using the different equipment. Library staff is proficient in all technical equipment found in the library. Library staff will be able to help all library users to learn how to use the equipment. All campus Libraries Ongoing Access Services Public Services and Systems |
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Create a safe, inviting physical environment that promotes scholarship, collaboration and study. VI.A. Objective: Safeguard the collection from environmental and hazardous conditions. Outcomes: Libraries provide a hospitable environment for housing and preserving the collection. Policies and guidelines are implemented to protect the collection. The staff is made aware of collection preservation techniques through updates, communiqués. The Libraries’ environmental condition meets the needs of the collection, staff and users.
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Strategy 1:
Assess training for Library staff in recognizing and remedying conditions that could be hazardous to the collection.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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Some existing staff has expertise and experience in dealing with collections
subjected to environmental and other hazardous challenges. Training drills on hazardous and environmental situations; assessment of the knowledge and competency level of staff by proficiency testing. Staff understands and follows guidelines to identify “at-risk” collections. All campus Libraries Ongoing Disaster Squad Access Services, Technical Services, Facilities Committee |
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Strategy 2:
Assess training for staff on how to salvage collections under hazardous or environmental conditions.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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Expertise and experience in salvage exists in some departments. Assessment of the knowledge and competency level of staff by proficiency testing. Staff will respond to hazards, when/should they arise, in accordance to Libraries’ policy and guidelines. All campus Libraries Ongoing Disaster Squad Technical Services and Access Services |
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VI.B. Objective: Aggressively monitor the collections, equipment and furnishings using new methods for spot checking and programs to increase staff awareness of and involvement in security implementation. Outcomes: Security meets all standards to safeguard the Libraries’ collections, equipment and furnishings. Staff and users are aware of Libraries policies and programs involving security of the collection.
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Strategy 1: Implement and assess a security program as a Libraries protection policy for all/certain staff to provide security monitoring of all conditions. |
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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Some staff already monitors security in the Libraries. Training drills on security situations; assessment of the knowledge and competency level of staff. Procedure manual/guidelines are created. Training for the handling of violence and emergencies, especially during the absence of high level managers is provided at sufficient levels. All campus Libraries Ongoing Facilities Committee Administration, Systems, and Access Services |
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VI.C. Objective: The Libraries create a safe environment for staff and users. Outcome: The Library staff and users are aware of current policies and know how to react to an emergency situation and how to minimize incidents of threats to personal safety.
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Strategy 1:
Assess training for the Libraries staff in how they react in various emergency situations.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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Facilities subcommittee completed COOP plan for the University and information is available to staff. Training drills on emergency situations; assessment of the knowledge and competency level of staff by proficiency testing. Staff will be prepared to respond appropriately in an emergency. All campus Libraries Ongoing Facilities Committee All Departments |
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Goal VII: Increasing FAU Libraries Visibility Florida Atlantic University Libraries will elevate awareness of its collections, services and programs to the local, regional, national and international communities through enhanced communications and marketing efforts to internal and external audiences, while maintaining the University’s standards and guidelines. VII.A. Objective: Develop lines of communication with the FAU community to inform the community of library related information. Outcomes: The FAU community will have access to important information regarding the Libraries.
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Strategy 1:
Evaluate different types of approaches to best inform the FAU community of Library related information.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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Online news and events web page, press releases, flyers, signs, email
announcements, and presentations are currently being used to reach the FAU
community about news, events, collections, and other important information.
No assessment of these items has been made. Speak with the Faculty Advisory Board and Student Advisory Board (Jupiter, Treasure Coast), survey where community members heard about events, work with focus groups. The Libraries will utilize the best forms of communication based on highest impact to each respective FAU community. All campus Libraries Ongoing Libraries’ Department of Communications All appropriate departments |
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VII.B. Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of marketing Libraries services, policies and events for each department. Outcomes: Each department represents their services to the FAU community through an effective marketing plan.
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Strategy 1: Assess the marketing needs of each department or unit in the library to better promote their services. |
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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Web usability and LibQUAL+ results from 2007 suggest that the FAU community
is not aware of many library services and collections. Interview each department for what they wish to promote and assess the impact on the community. Use handouts, Web banners, Web announcements, vodcasts, podcasts, and RSS feeds for promotion. The FAU Community is aware of all news and services provided by the library. All campus Libraries Ongoing Libraries’ Department of Communications All appropriate departments |
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Strategy 2:
Train the staff of each department to create and update all marketing materials.
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Baseline: Tool: Target Outcome: Campus: Target Date: Accountable Department or Unit: Supporting Department or Unit:
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Materials are updated, but not consistently. Create a tool (spreadsheet) of all materials produced, when it was last updated, where the files are located and the guidelines to create the materials. All materials in the Libraries reflect the department’s services and are current. All campus Libraries Ongoing Libraries’ Department of Communications All appropriate departments |
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