Strategic Plan

Introduction

The strategic plan for the Division of Library and Information Resources is intended to serve as a road map to the future. Our plan is organized into strategic "themes," each with a set of broadly stated goals. We expect this plan will be flexible enough to allow variations and changes to specific objectives as we move forward. However, the goals should remain our constant guideposts, bringing life to our mission.

Themes and Goals:

Fundamentals: These goals represent initiatives designed to provide a solid foundation on which to build all the other strategic programs itemized in this plan.

• ASSESSMENT: Evaluate programs and services with a goal of continuous improvement.
• FUNDING: Strive to increase available fiscal resources to meet an ambitious agenda.
• POLICY: Develop policies designed to make resources available to the broadest possible audience and equitably across all disciplines.

Collections: The following goals increase the breadth and depth of resources available to the CalArts community and from CalArts to the world, thus strengthening our unique contributions to the mission of the Institute. These goals are not mutually exclusive, but "DIGITAL RESOURCES" is viewed as a key strategic direction for Library & Information Resources.

• ARCHIVES: Highlight CalArts resources documenting a rich history of challenging prevailing conventions of artistic expression.
• COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT: Build selective broad and deep collections intended to inspire, document, and educate CalArts students and faculty.
• DIGITAL RESOURCES: Share CalArts library resources as widely as possible and strive for desktop delivery of information.
• MOVING IMAGES: Continue developing Film Services into a relevant and extensive collection with the highest quality of service.

Operations: Operational effectiveness is essential for maximizing existing resources. Based on input from students and faculty, "FACILITIES" and "SERVICE" are the two goals most in need of focused attention.

• FACILITIES: Create an inviting physical environment conducive to inspiring staff and serving a variety of student learning needs.
• SERVICE: Provide quality service to all users.
• STAFFING: Develop and support a well-trained and educated workforce dedicated to quality service.

Outreach: We want to improve how we inform our constituents about the wide array of our value-added services provided to the academic community. These goals are intended to result ultimately in an enhanced educational experience for the students of CalArts. In particular, the "COMMUNICATION" goal is paramount and creates the necessary groundwork for the other goals under this theme.

• COMMUNICATION: Enhance communication among faculty, staff and students to facilitate a positive educational environment.
• PUBLIC RELATIONS: Promote Library and Information Resources as a central component in the educational mission of the Institute.
• REFERENCE & INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES: Focus on creating a well-structured and comprehensive educational program.

Technology: The technological infrastructure at CalArts could be improved through greater centralized or coordinated planning. A robust technology plan and implementation is also critical for an academic library to deliver meaningful services in the modern age.

• TECHNOLOGY: Build an infrastructure to support both administrative needs and academic missions for all of CalArts.

STAFFING PRIORITIES FOR NEW POSITIONS

1. Archivist / Curator Librarian

2. All others (in alphabetical order):
        Database Manager
        Film Services Night Supervisor
        Network Technician
        Programmer

FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT PRIORITIES

1. Critical (in alphabetical order):
        Archives
        Artists Books
        Film Vault
        Performance Scores
        Special Collections

2. Strategic:
    a. Student spaces, such as:
        i. Group study & meeting rooms
        ii. Group film/video viewing

    b. Visual Arts Librarian office

    c. All others (in alphabetical order):
        Bound periodicals
        Centralized media center
        Different/additional space for Network Services
        Hard floors for Film Services (i.e., no carpeting)
        Office space
        Staff lounge
        Technical processing area
        Video shelving space

2005