Strategic Plan
LOUIS STOKES HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY
OVERVIEW OF THE LOUIS STOKES LIBRARY STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
The strategic plan that you are about to read sets direction for the Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library as we move into the future. The plan is the product of an intensive process involving broad input from library staff and embracing a wide spectrum of issues and problems. In April 2004, the Vice President for Health Sciences asked each academic unit to begin the strategic planning process in coordination with the Health Sciences Division-wide process. The Library Director charged thelibrary staff with developing the mission and goals and developing a plan. The group looked at the proposed plan in the context of re-envisioning the Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library and its role within health information services. The library staff was involved in conducting the SWOT analysis and the strategic directions were developed to include broad, project-oriented initiatives and integrated the goals with these initiatives.
MISSION
The Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library (LSHSL) is a state-of-the-art academic Health Sciences Library and Learning Resources Center (LRC). We serve the health information and research needs of the students, staff and faculty of HowardUniversity, its consortia and the Mid-Atlantic Region of Health Sciences Libraries and Hospitals. Providing support to the teaching, research and clinical needs of the Colleges of Health Sciences and HowardUniversityHospital, we are dedicated to delivering quality access to health information resources and services to the African-American community and other historicallydisenfranchised groups.
VISION
The Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library will be one of the leaders among Health Sciences Libraries in the timely delivery of quality health information resources and services with special emphasis to the African-American community and other historically disenfranchised groups.
GOALS, OBJECTIVES, PERFORMANCE INDICATORS AND STRATEGIES
Access control:
To maximize the use of the LSHSL and LRC by enhancing the facility to meet the needs of current and future patrons through access to services, systems, and facilities.
Collections:
To increase and collect scholarly, relevant, current, and in scope materials to support the research, clinical, administrative and educational needs of our clients.
Community Outreach and Marketing
To promote and provide library services to selected community schools and neighborhood organizations.
Personnel
To recruit, develop and retain a highly qualified, skilled and motivated staff committed to the achievement of the Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library’s mission.
Technology
To enhance and update information systems and technology to meet the present and information needs of the library’s users and the Health Sciences Division.
User Education
To build comprehensive and functional library education and departmental liaison programs for the Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library by January 2006.
HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY
Formulating and implementing strategies: ACTION PLAN
SFA Link: [x ]Strengthen Academic Programs/Svcs [ ]Increase Private Support
[ ]Promote Excellence in Teaching/Research [x ]Enhance National/Community Svc
To maximize the use of the LSHSL and LRC by enhancing the facility to meet the needs of current and future patrons through access to services, systems, and facilities.OBJECTIVE:
To clearly define our stakeholders and the level of access they require to accomplish our mission ( Primary stakeholders should be those from the Health Sciences Division and the HowardUniversityHospital. Secondary stakeholders should be HowardUniversity students, faculty, staff and alumni and the local community).
ACTION PLAN:
Revise Access Services policies and procedures
Establish a work group to develop new access policies
Establish a LSHSL Library Membership Card as a fundraiser / Responsible
Party / Resource Needs ($$$) / Timing (mm/dd/yy)
8/15/05
8/15/05
8/15/05
PAY-OFFs (quantify in terms of cost, cycle time, quality, and/or customer service)
Less complaints from patrons, for example, undergraduate behavior, lack of Problem Based Learning and Group Study space for graduate students and noise.
Preservation of the facility from overuse of resources
ASSESSMENT MEASURE(s):
Key card audit for user statistics
Inventory control audits / Overall Funding Requirements:
HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY
Formulating and implementing strategies: ACTION PLAN
SFA Link: [x ]Strengthen Academic Programs/Svcs [ ]Increase Private Support
[ ]Promote Excellence in Teaching/Research [ ]Enhance National/Community Svc
MAJOR GOALTo enhance security of the LSHSL and grounds and to assist in the enforcement of Library access policies by the Fall of 2006.
OBJECTIVE:
To enhance building security by improving surveillance equipment and increase the ability of staff to monitor and enforce access policies and procedures particularly during the evening shift.
ACTION PLAN:
•Enhance building security through increased surveillance
•Install and implement key card access system / Timing (mm/dd/yy)
7/1/06
8/15/05
PAY-OFFs (quantify in terms of cost, cycle time, quality, and/or customer service)
Decrease in loss of equipment, library material, and valuables of patrons.
Less complaints from patrons, for example, undergraduate behavior, lack of Problem Based Learning and Group Study space for graduate students and noise.
ASSESSMENT MEASURE(s):
Decrease in reported thefts to security/Campus Police / Overall Funding Requirements:
HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY
Formulating and implementing strategies: ACTION PLAN
SFA Link: [X]Strengthen Academic Programs/Svcs [ ]Increase Private Support
[X ]Promote Excellence in Teaching/Research [ ]Enhance National/Community Svc
MAJOR GOAL:To increase and collect scholarly, relevant, current, and in scope materials to support the research, clinical, administrative and educational needs of our clients.
OBJECTIVE:
1. To convert print journal subscriptions to electronic access by January 2006.
ACTION PLAN:
Check current list of journals
Contact vendors or subscription agent to obtain cost for electronic access.
Pay for onsite licenses
Create electronic links in the online catalog and web site. / Responsible Party / Resource Needs ($$$) / Timing (mm/dd/yy)
01/31/05
07/31/05
09/31/05
12/31/05
PAY-OFFs (quantify in terms of cost, cycle time, quality, and/or customer service)
Increase access to full text articles to strengthen academic programs and services.
ASSESSMENT MEASURE(s):
In preparation for 2008 accreditation sites visit. / Overall Funding Requirements
HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY
Formulating and implementing strategies: ACTION PLAN
SFA Link: [X]Strengthen Academic Programs/Svcs [ ]Increase Private Support
[X ]Promote Excellence in Teaching/Research [ ]Enhance National/Community Svc
MAJOR GOAL (cont’d)To increase and collect scholarly, relevant, current, and in scope materials to support the research, clinical, administrative and educational needs of our clients.
OBJECTIVE:
2. To implement a collection analysis for electronic and print books.
3. To collect and develop a comprehensive collection on African American health issues, history of medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy and allied health in all formats.
ACTION PLAN:
Conduct an inventory using the Brandon Hill Select List of Printed Books.
Prepare a report of weaknesses in the collection by subject areas.
Reallocate funds for electronic and book collection.
Revise the collection development policy.
Appoint a Special Collections Coordinator.
Review and develop a plan for arranging the collection.
Purchase new materials.
Solicit for free materials. / Responsible Party / Resource Needs ($$$) / Timing (mm/dd/yy)
01/01/07
07/01/07
07/01/07
02/01/05
07/01/06
08/01/06
09/01/06
09/01/06
PAY-OFFs (quantify in terms of cost, cycle time, quality, and/or customer service)
Increase circulation activities.
Increase use of the collection.
Increase in research
ASSESSMENT MEASURE(s):
Book circulation statistics.
Usage statistics / Overall Funding Requirements
HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY
Formulating and implementing strategies: ACTION PLAN
SFA Link: [ ]Strengthen Academic Programs/Svcs [ ]Increase Private Support
[X ]Promote Excellence in Teaching/Research [ ]Enhance National/Community Svc
MAJOR GOAL:To promote and provide library services and resources to selected community schools and neighborhood organizations.
OBJECTIVE:
- Determine what institutions are in this zipcode.
- Determine what services each of the three institutions would like to receive.
ACTION PLAN:
- Review with staff members, what well known schools and neighborhood organizations are in the area. Identify one school, one senior facility, and one neighborhood organization, that is interested in our services
- Meet with responsible person at these institutions to discuss the services we can provide and which service would be of value to their constituents
- Create three communication or marketing tools to promote and encourage people to participate. The flyers, brochures or CDs might emphasize services such as consumer health resources, HIV education, blood pressure readings, senior health insurance counseling, Alzheimer caretaker information, videotapes, books, journals, etc.)
4. Collaborate with participating agencies to schedule and conduct community sessions at LSHSL, and/or off-site locations. / Responsible Party / Resource Needs ($$$)
) / Timing (mm/dd/yy)
01/01/05
03/01/05
04/01/05
06/01/05
08/01/05
PAY-OFFs (quantify in terms of cost, cycle time, quality, and/or customer service)
1. Health education benefits to participants
2. Supporting the University’s goal of enhancing community service
3. Enhancing the HU image in the community, while developing partnerships with other institutions
ASSESSMENT MEASURE(s):
1.The number of participants in these sessions
2.Have participants complete evaluation forms / Overall Funding Requirements:
HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY
Formulating and implementing strategies: ACTION PLAN
SFA Link: [ ]Strengthen Academic Programs/Svcs [ ]Increase Private Support
[X ]Promote Excellence in Teaching/Research [ ]Enhance National/Community Svc
MAJOR GOAL:To recruit, develop and retain a highly qualified, skilled and motivated staff committed to the achievement of the Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library’s mission.
OBJECTIVE:
1. To increase current staff positions by 25% in order to improve the level of service and support for new services and programs; insure adequate desks coverage in the evenings, peak service times and week ends at an annual cost of approximately $25,000.00 for Library technicians and $40,000.00 minimum for Librarians.
2. Develop a recognition program for the contributions of each staff member in the Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library (LSHSL), and honor the staff during the National Library Week, with a minimum budget of $1,000.00 annually by 2006.
3. Implement a staff development and training program by 2005, with an initial budget of $500.00 per employee that increases staff participation from 25% to 100%, so that skills are current and relevant.
ACTION PLAN:
•Identify additional staff positions
•Prepare job descriptions for the identified positions
•Submit request for additional staff
• Upon approval, hire one additional staff per year until all the approved positions are filled
Annual recognition of staff contributions will become part of the LSHSL’s budget in 2006
•First annual event to recognize staff contributions will be held in 2006
•Report staff contributions in the LSHSL Newsletter and the web site
•Assess staff training and development needs
•Develop a formal mentoring program
•Develop a program for cross training of the LSHSL’s staff
•Provide opportunities for professional and paraprofessional staff to attend regional, state, and national library or work-related conferences and meetings / Responsible Party / Resource
Needs ($$$) / Timing (mm/dd/yy)
January 31, 2005
March 30, 2005
May 31, 2005
September 1, 2005
December, 2005
April 2006
April 30, 2006
May 31, 2005
February 28, 2005
March 31, 2005
March 31, 2006
PAY-OFFs (quantify in terms of cost, cycle time, quality, and/or customer service)
To improve timeliness in responding to users’ needs, voiced and unvoiced and to raise the level of library services and user satisfaction.
Increased speed during patron transactions; staying alert and able to catch patron’s needs and know what to do about them
Development of needed skills; increased level of confidence in performing work thereby improving services.
ASSESSMENT MEASURE(s):
Increased number of staff providing desk coverage at all times, particularly during peak service times, weekends and in the evenings.
Feedback from staff after the National Library Week
Staff able to provide services in the library with minimal assistance / Overall Funding Requirements:
HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY
Formulating and implementing strategies: ACTION PLAN
SFA Link: [ ]Strengthen Academic Programs/Svcs [ ]Increase Private Support
[X ]Promote Excellence in Teaching/Research [X ]Enhance National/Community Svc
MAJOR GOAL:Enhance and update information systems and technology to meet the present and future information needs of the library’s users and the Health Sciences Division.
OBJECTIVE:
Implement a plan by 2006 for updating staff and user hardware and software for the provision of quality services. The cost of updating is estimated at $46,000 per year
By 2006, provide ease of access to library databases from remotesites, particularly the HUH
Re-design LSHSL web presence for improved usability and enhancement of learning
ACTION PLAN:
•Assess hardware and software
•Examine computers on a semi-annual basis to determine potential need for hardware/software upgrades
•Create a three year rolling upgrade budget to replace computers; $46,000/year; # of computers 70; Replacement cost $2,000; Total replacement cost $140,000
•Library administration will work with HUH CEOand the Vice President for health Sciences to resolve library access problems from HUH.
Systematically seek and examine new information products and technologies
Continuous improvement and update of the library’s web site / Responsible Party / Resource Needs ($$$) / Timing (mm/dd/yy)
July 31, 2005
July 31, 2005
April 31, 2005
January 31, 2006
June 30, 2006
March 30, 2005
PAY-OFFs (quantify in terms of cost, cycle time, quality, and/or customer service)
Quality user services will be provided. Up-to-date technology available.
ASSESSMENT MEASURE(s):
Inventory of existing computers for potential update. Number of updated systems and total expenditure.
Users’ report fewer barriers to access resources through the LSHSL’s technical systems / Overall Funding Requirements:
HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY
Formulating and implementing strategies: ACTION PLAN
SFA Link: [X]Strengthen Academic Programs/Svcs [ ]Increase Private Support
[X] Promote Excellence in Teaching/Research [ ]Enhance National/Community Svc
MAJOR GOAL:Build comprehensive and functional library education and departmental liaison programs for the Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library by January 2006.
OBJECTIVES:
Design and implement essential instructional programs which will serve the primary needs of the library's main constituencies ( the HU Hospital and the Colleges of Medicine and Dentistry and the College of Nursing and Allied Health and Pharmacy) by 8/05.
Develop at least one class with the HU Academy 1/06.
Define scope of and establish a formal, active liaison relationship with all the Colleges of Health Sciences and the HU Hospital which is fully integrated into the curricular, researchand clinical programsof the Division of Health Sciences by 12/05.
Formally integrate library orientations and client entry into the library circulation system with University in-processing of all new students, faculty and staff by 8/05.
Expand and enhance the functional relationship (for client training and broader academic liaison) between the Stokes Library and University Libraries by 5/05.
Develop training and instructional links for the website to facilitate independent and off-site/remote learning 8/05
ACTION PLAN:
-Coordinate with Student Affairs and Human Resources to include library processing into orientation schedules. Implement new in-processing policies.
- Develop survey instruments and poll main constituencies to determine primary instructional needs and to create assessment tools.
- Coordinate class development with HU Leadership Academy.
- Establish working group to define and negotiate scope of liaison program.
- Plan and implement a three class in-house instructional program..
- Design/implement tutorial and instruction and presentation links for WEB site.
- Coordinate with UL to build functional relationship and instructional resource sharing. / Responsible Party / Resource Needs ($$$) / Timing (mm/dd/yy)
8/05
12/04
1/06
5/05
8/05
8/05
1/05
MAY-PAY-OFFs: (quantify in terms of cost, cycle time, quality, and/or customer service)
More efficient use of staff time and library resources. Promotes life-long learning by increasing student skills.
Enhances library and information literacy among students and faculty. Facilitates and empowers excellent research and instruction Supports clinical research and patient care needs of HU Hospital.
ASSESSMENT MEASURE(s):
Levels of attendance at classes and levels of use of web instructional modules. Feedback via questionnaire at the time of classes. Follow-up surveys of participants after six months. Liaison reports every six months on meetings attended, activities and programs facilitated, and policies, procedures and issues managed. / Overall Funding Requirements: