ACRL College & Research Libraries News

Association of College & Research Libraries

ACRL strategic plan: Final draft

The decision to develop a new strategic plan, made by the Association of College and

Research Libraries Board of Directors at the 1994 ALA Annual Conference, was based on a num- ber of factors, but it was primarily initiated be- cause of an awareness of the rapid rate of change that was impacting ACRL and member needs, and the fact that the existing plan did not provide the mechanism for the association to respond.

The Board of Directors felt that planning would:

• create a clear understanding of reasons why the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) should continue to exist;

• enable ACRL to more effectively recog- nize its role as the future evolves;

• maximize ACRL’s ability to shape, rather than be shaped by, the external environment;

• provide for maximum co- ordination of ACRL programs, benefits, and services with higher education and information-related organizations;

• provide for increased ac- countability for results.

The existing ACRL strategic plan was approved by the Board of Directors in 1986 and became effective with the 1987 association program year. The plan was moni- tored by the Planning Committee and recommendations were made to the Board of Directors. ACRL units identified programs that sup- ported the plan, completed action inventory forms annually detail- ing results, and submitted the forms to the Planning Committee.

The units’ summaries of results were used to form the basis of the ACRL Operating Plan and the Annual Report.

The 1986 ACRL Strategic Plan remained in effect through 1994 when the Board of Directors voted to suspend the plan and, at its meeting on June 28, 1994, established a Strategic Planning Committee. The Board decided that because of the rapid rate of change, the plan should cover a three- to five-year period.

The 1994 Strategic Planning Committee met in a two-day session, September 23–24, 1994, in two two-hour sessions during the 1995 ALA Midwinter Meeting, and a two-hour session at the close of the ACRL National Conference in Pittsburgh. A listserv, ACRLPlan, was established to facilitate the work of the committee. The meetings and listserv provided opportunities for the committee to review information and data and to develop the plan presented here.

The planning process

The Strategic Planning Committee began its work by reviewing and discussing foundation data: 1993 membership survey results, external and internal environmental scan, and information from Board/Leadership planning sessions that included strengths and weaknesses; values; assumptions; and critical issues. Also included was a discussion of the association’s organizational structure.

In preparation for its discussions and development of a mission statement, the committee identified strategic areas. This exercise insured that no major areas vital to the future of the association were overlooked. The mission statement was the first element of the plan to be developed. Because of its extreme importance to the entire planning process, considerable time and effort was expended in both developing and reviewing the mission statement.

As the planning process proceeded, each objective and strategy was checked against the mission statement to be sure it fell within its scope.

The Strategic Planning Committee clarified the vision that would provide the impetus for the entire planning process. The committee used the vision to address the opportunities it saw for ACRL.

The next step in the planning process was the development of goals. The committee reviewed foundation data: environmental scan, strengths and weaknesses, issues, opportunities, and survey results in order to begin the goals-development process. The committee identified four goals which were responsive to changes in academic librarianship and ACRL.

The committee agreed to develop strategic directions, rather than objectives, for each goal. Strategic directions were reviewed by the committee as being results-oriented, measurable, relatively short-term, and easily linked to operational programs. Strategic directions were developed for each of the goals.

Review/drafting process

After the committee’s September 23–24, 1995, meeting, a draft was made for the ACRL Executive Committee for review and comment. Their comments and suggestions were discussed by the committee and, where appropriate, incorporated into the plan. A second draft of the mission statement, vision statement, and goals was sent to all invitees to the ACRL Midwinter Board/Leadership Planning Session. Appropriate comments and suggestions were incorporated into a third draft of the plan and formed the basis of the committee’s discussion in Pittsburgh.

The draft was reviewed by the committee and put into the final draft form for the ACRL Executive Committee review at its spring meeting, April 21–22, 1995. ACRL members have an opportunity to comment on the plan during the ACRL Planning Session at the ALA Annual Conference, June 23, 3:00–5:00 p.m.

The Strategic Plan which follows this description of the planning process represents an immeasurable amount of time by each committee member in thought, meetings, and preparation for committee meetings.

Mission

The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) provides leadership for development, promotion, and improvement of academic and research library resources and services to facilitate learning, research, and the scholarly communication process.

ACRL promotes the highest level of professional excellence for librarians and library personnel in order to best serve the users of academic and research libraries.

Vision

Together, ACRL members will strengthen the ability of academic and research librarians and other library personnel to provide superior services and resources for their communities; and will prepare academic and research librarians to play increasingly significant roles in higher education. ACRL will provide leadership in shaping education, information, and scholarly communication policy. It will achieve this through partnerships with higher education and information technology organizations, national forums, and through the legislative process. ACRL will recruit and help to retain highly qualified and talented librarians who reflect the diversity found in American society. ACRL will develop standards for professional preparation and promote continuous learning for academic and research librarians and other library personnel.

Goals

1. Provide development opportunities for academic and research librarians and other library personnel.

Strategic directions

1.1 ACRL will support activities which strengthen formal and informal networking opportunities for academic and research librarians and library personnel to discuss and share ideas, knowledge, experiences, and expertise.

1.2 ACRL will support recruitment efforts to bring into the profession those individuals who will enrich the diversity of the profession.

1.3 ACRL will develop and implement an ongoing mechanism for providing national programming regionally to support continuing education needs.

1.4 ACRL will continue to seek ways to increase membership participation in its activities.

2. Maintain at the national level a prominent role in planning and decisionmaking for influencing information policy.

Strategic directions

2.1 ACRL will provide financial support for the ALA Goal 2000 technology initiative and legislative agenda to insure that the items of concern to academic librarians receive prompt attention.

2.2 ACRL will support the ALA Washington Office in responding to issues affecting academic libraries and higher education.

2.3 ACRL will use an effective communication mix to promote an understanding of the value and contributions of academic/research librarians and libraries to higher education and society in general.

2.4 ACRL will participate in activities of higher education and other organizations to inform these groups of the value of library resources and services and the library’s role in the teaching/learning and scholarly process.

3. Collaborate with other professional organizations and associations of higher education in order to promote mutual interests.

Strategic directions:

3.1 ACRL will participate in activities of, and seek cooperative relationships with, higher education associations such as AACU, AACC, AAHE, ACE, AASCU, AAU, NAICU, and NASULGC.

3.2 ACRL will seek cooperative relationships with CNI, CAUSE, EDUCOM, AECT, ASIS, and other information-related associations to develop cooperative initiatives to enhance and expand the library’s role as central to academic endeavors.

3.3 ACRL will strengthen its relationship with ARL.

3.4 ACRL will work with higher education and scholarly associations to protect access to intellectual property in electronic environments.

4. Ensure that ACRL’s operating environment provides efficiency in its use of resources and effectiveness in the delivery of services to its members and constituent units.

Strategic directions:

4.1 The ACRL Board of Directors will take responsibility for planning in order to provide organizational direction.

4.2 ACRL will develop and maintain an integrated dynamic management system and process that include: a strategic plan, a financial plan, and product-line marketing or business plans.

4.3 Members of the ACRL Board of Directors will act with the mission, vision, and goals of the association in mind, and see that issues and ideas are examined and discussed openly and thoroughly with the membership.

4.4 ACRL will examine and modify as appropriate its current structural arrangements to enhance its influence on information policy setting and legislation through better coordination of national and state efforts.

4.5 ACRL will review and revise its bylaws to reflect the roles of the Board of Directors and all ACRL units.

4.6 ACRL will keep informed of current association management practices and appropriate technologies to ensure that it operates at an optimum level of efficiency.