COUNCIL OF LIBRARIANS STRATEGIC PLAN
Approved 5/18/07

The twelve Connecticut Community College Libraries each endorse their own individual missions and sets of goals, while sharing many common principles that are universally held among the libraries and librarians. As we look to the future, the Council of Librarians [COL] of the Connecticut Community Colleges has realized the need to develop an overall strategic plan to help guide libraries with local planning and activities. While keeping in mind that each Council member will want to emphasize those areas of the strategic plan, which have the greatest resonance for his/her individual campus, there will also be a focus on those activities that are universally shared by all the libraries.

Since the last Strategic Plan was completed in 2003, a variety of events have occurred which make it imperative to reexamine the Council’s goals.  These events include:

• The management of LIBRIS: Library Resource Information System for Connecticut’s Community Colleges.
• The New England Association of Schools and Colleges’ revision of CIHE standards for accreditation in 2006, especially with new emphasis on information literacy.
• The continued emergence of technology and the impact it has had on collections and services.
• The rapid growth and diversity of the user population.

To help us best serve our communities, assist us in our professional development, and provide a framework for long-range planning, the issues and recommendations listed below should help guide COL members and libraries with their decision-making processes in the years ahead.  Please note that entries are in alphabetical, not priority order.

I. Budget.

  A. Libraries will work to secure budget support adequate to meet each Library's goals.

1. Libraries will work to secure an equitable budget.
2. Libraries will work to ensure that additional funding is made available to support new courses and/or programs, such as distance learning initiatives.
3. Libraries will work to secure funds for staff training.
4. Libraries will seek supplementary funding for special materials for community services and continuing education programs.
5. Libraries will secure funding for the latest technology in order to take full advantage of electronic sources and consortium services.

  B. Libraries will work to continue to provide as many services as possible at no charge.

II. Collection development.

  A. Libraries will provide materials in all formats to serve the basic needs of the library's constituencies, that is, develop a collection of library materials which is comprehensive and balanced, with in-depth strength in the subject areas related to the college curricula, both credit and credit-free.

  B. Libraries will pursue the guidelines set forth in the Council's Collection Development Policy and work to support print and non-print materials at the ACRL "excellent" level.

  C. Libraries will work to support collection preservation and replacement.

  D. Libraries will adapt collection development policies as needed to accommodate new technological resources, such as the Internet and online databases.

III. Cooperation.

  A.  The Council of Librarians will work with the LIBRIS consortium groups to ensure effective communication in all areas of library services.

  B. Librarians will work actively with faculty to enhance their library instruction program and information literacy, strengthen collections, develop greater access to electronic resources, and further college goals.  

  C. Council Libraries will work to sponsor joint resource sharing projects.

  D. Libraries will participate in local and regional library networks and professional organizations to further resource sharing.

  E. Council libraries will take steps to ensure that each Community College's library is an active participant in the Connecticut Library Network.

  F. Libraries will promote and support community outreach efforts and work toward enhancing the colleges' relationships with their broader communities.

IV. Facilities.

  A. Libraries will work to ensure a safe environment for patrons and staff.

  B. Libraries will provide spaces that facilitate different activities associated with library use, such as quiet study, group study, technology, and programming.

  C. Libraries will work to provide facilities with adequate space, lighting, ventilation, and infrastructure for collections, equipment, staff, and users.

  D. Libraries will make accommodations in support of the campuses’ ADA guidelines.

  E. Libraries will work to provide an appropriate ergonomically correct work station for each staff member.

  F. Libraries will work to provide security against loss of materials.

V. Information Literacy

  A. Libraries will provide library instruction on both the group and individual levels so that all community college students will have the information literacy skills they need to locate and evaluate sources not only in college but also throughout their lives.

  B. Libraries will develop and implement tools for assessing information literacy initiatives.

  C. Libraries will work towards the goals for library instruction as defined in the Council's guidelines.

  D. Libraries will provide a mechanism or process to teach information literacy skills to all learners, on or off campus.

VI. Staffing.

  A. Libraries will develop staffing patterns and public service hours that meet the needs of the Community Colleges' diverse publics.

  B. The Council of Librarians will develop a standard regarding staffing levels, using available established guidelines. The libraries will work toward meeting that standard.

  C. Libraries will make provisions and seek college funding for temporary support help and adjunct librarians when needed.

  D. Libraries will provide release time and supporting funds for staff participation in local, regional, and national networks and professional organizations, as well as for continuing education, training in new technologies and in other areas of professional development.

  E. Libraries will provide staff time specifically for system-wide planning and coordination.

  F. Libraries will continue to monitor the new System Wide Job Descriptions to ensure a fair and equitable workload, as well as adequate compensation relevant to other ACL ranking.

  G. Libraries will support the creation and hiring of a Library Consortium Coordinator position. This position would provide a range of library and information technology support for all twelve system libraries.

VII. Technology

  A. Libraries will continually upgrade and acquire new technologies and equipment, which promote prompt and efficient access to electronic as well as traditional resources.

  B. In order to help their libraries provide up-to-date services to their patrons and to stay current with changing technologies, libraries will provide on-going training and conference opportunities for staff and student workers in use of the new information technologies, pursuant to Connecticut Community College System Board of Trustee’s Information Technology Policies.

  C. Libraries will provide 24/7 off-campus access to the library's databases to faculty, staff, and students.

  D. Libraries will provide 24/7 reference service to faculty, staff, and students.

N.B.: The term library is used throughout this document to stand for both libraries and the many permutations of learning resources center that exist in the Community College system.

This document should be revised within three years of the date below.

Revised June 2007.