Cornell University Library
Goals and Objectives 2002-2007

Introduction
GOAL I: Build the knowledge base of print, digital, and other materials using selection criteria that reflect 1) the academic priorities of the University, 2) significant research in all areas of study pursued at the University, and 3) current collection strengths.
  1. Strengthen access to digital collections by
    1. reallocation of funds and
      2.     
    2. b.privileging electronic over print information when appropriate.
      3.     
    3. innovative collaborations with information technology staff, publishers, consortia and other research institutions.

  2. Expand and foster partnerships with the faculty to enhance access to scholarly information and to ensure the long-term preservation of that material.

  3. Digitize library holdings
    4.    
    1. Allocate annually a portion of the Library budget for digital conversion of analog holdings.
    2. Select materials for digitization on the basis of their potential for broad utility, unique value of materials converted, reflection of core strengths of Cornell's holdings, and opportunities for building distinctive aggregations through national and international collaborations, with particular attention to projects that meet these criteria and have the potential to generate external support or to produce revenues from their use.
    3. Investigate the extent and nature of use at Cornell and globally of Library digital collections currently available, incorporating these findings into the selection and design of new collections and the enhancement of existing sites.

  4. Use evaluative tools to analyze and measure strengths and costs associated with various collections, taking into account the services (i.e. cataloging, digitization, etc.) associated with collection building.
GOAL II: Provide digital 'life-cycle' production services.
  1. Establish and maintain a central depository system capable of ensuring systematic management and long-term preservation and accessibility of digital collections.
  2. Establish and operate a digitization service capable of converting a variety of textual, graphic image, and audiovisual objects to digital form and to contract for outside scanning when appropriate.
  3. Establish and operate a "consulting to production" metadata service capable of producing metadata in a variety of formats to organize, manage, and preserve collections over time and to enable effective discovery and use.
  4. Establish and operate a copyright service capable of ensuring adequate observance and protection of intellectual property rights and facilitating effective administration of our digital assets.
  5. Instruct students, staff, and faculty in the use of available resources and tools facilitating the aggregation and organization of information and images.
  6. Work with the university to establish a program to archive the university's electronic records.
GOAL III: Support electronic publishing, scholarly communication, and creative expression.
  1. Operate an electronic publishing program capable of systematic production and distribution of journals, monographs, and multimedia compositions and foster alternatives to conventional publishing.
  2. Build a discipline-based repository or repositories (math, physics, engineering, computer science, agriculture, law) that includes Cornell and non-Cornell resources, retrospective and current, commercial and nonprofit.
  3. Conduct a campus education program to increase awareness of issues relating to scholarly communication.
  4. Support innovative approaches to teaching, research, and creation, making the Library a site for exploration and experimentation.
  5. Selectively support Web authoring and electronic distribution and maintenance of information and image sources having broad educational use or unique value through collaborative endeavors.
GOAL IV: Support more effective organization and presentation of information for diverse audiences.
  1. Implement an integrated technological and methodological framework Library-wide, providing users with an integrated approach to discovery and use of Library resources and enhancing collection building and managerial efficiencies. (e.g. Encompass)
  2. Make resources and services more visible and easier to find within Library buildings and on Library Web sites by employing appealing and engaging design techniques and intuitive navigational approaches.
  3. Pursue seamless linking between e-resources.
  4. Develop customized views and services for specific audiences, units, disciplines and genres.
  5. Integrate CU library sources, products and services into the CU information landscape.
  6. Provide users with the capability to create personalized views of the knowledge base.
  7. Develop enhanced services in support of social science and geospatial data.
GOAL V: Provide expert assistance, instruction, and an innovative suite of user services.
  1. Continue to build a distributed learning program supporting technology-based education.
  2. Expand document delivery capabilities, e.g., e-reserve, interlibrary loan and "borrow direct".
  3. Emphasize the role of librarians/information professionals/archivists as consultants and participants in the instructional and research programs of the University.
  4. Expand services in support of multimedia collections and production.
  5. Implement a system-wide chat reference service.
  6. Expand continuing education programs.
  7. Explore and develop 24/7 collaborative services.
  8. Implement software that supports push technologies so that users can get the information when and where they need it

  9. Support the creation of an online version of every major exhibition mounted in the Library, incorporating additional materials, and instruction and exposition approaches not feasible in the physical exhibition.

GOAL VI: Create and maintain a physical environment that fosters learning and research through enhanced intellectual discourse and exploration.
  1. Agree on minimum standards and phase-in an implementation program to ensure all libraries provide a safe environment for both individuals and materials.
  2. Construct a second high-density storage module at the Library Annex in a timely manner, ensuring that this next module will be operational at the time it is initially needed.
  3. Phase in renovations in Olin and Uris libraries on the basis of the Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson and Abbott reconceptualization study.
  4. Identify appropriate bench marks for technological infrastructure needed to support multiple, and even unexpected, uses and provide resources to ensure that this level is available in all libraries.
  5. Create flexible spaces that by their size, furnishings, and orientation encourage exploration, innovation, and customization in all modes of information exchange, including individual, collaborative, and classroom.
  6. Conduct feasibility studies for unit libraries as appropriate.
GOAL VII: Foster an organizational culture that is agile, resilient and flexible, embraces change and encourages teamwork.
  1. Cultivate leadership skills that are focused and humane and that place a premium on cooperation across administrative lines.
  2. Identify the skills and resources needed for library innovation and develop new competencies by retraining and recruiting.
  3. Cultivate an understanding of CUL's goals and objectives and encourage staff participation in meeting these goals.
  4. Link performance evaluation system to achievements of master plan.
  5. Devise a more-flexible reward system that recognizes both individual and team achievements.
  6. Revise CUL's organizational and committee structure to enhance effectiveness and to broaden participation.
GOAL VIII: Secure the resources to meet CUL's goals and objectives.
  1. Review current activities and expenditures to enhance efficiencies and to realign resources with new priorities.
  2. Determine the magnitude of the need-both one-time and ongoing-and establish a time frame for addressing it.
  3. Increase donor and external grant funding.
  4. Seek University financial support for selected new initiatives and building renovations.
  5. Establish a network of strategic partnerships to generate additional resources and share in the development and long-term maintenance of new services.
  6. Establish fee-based and cost-recovery mechanisms based on business plans and market assessments to support new services.
GOAL IX: Effectively market the library's products and services, and expand outreach to new and underrepresented constituencies.
  1. Conduct a needs assessment to understand our users and their needs and integrate the findings into annual planning process.
  2. Expand the number of programs, events, and exhibitions relating to authors, readers, and other library-related cultural activities that enhance the community's awareness of the Library's resources and services.
  3. Enhance user recognition of the Library as a virtual presence by "branding" the licensed resources and the digital collections made available through the Library.
GOAL X: Develop strategic alliances in support of CUL's goals and objectives.
  1. Expand joint initiatives and relationships with peer institutions.
  2. Expand relationships and joint projects with other Cornell University departments.
  3. Determine the strategic value of CUL's membership in regional, national, and international library consortia and organizations.
© 2002 Cornell University Library Instruction, Research, and Information Services