DRAFT -- MARCH 1998

Cornell University Library Goals and Objectives

January 1998-December 1999

Cornell University Mission: To serve society as a major university of the first rank

Cornell University Library Mission: To support the instructional, research and service goals of the University by working collaboratively, creatively and efficiently to:

• Provide services that support physical and intellectual access to information resources in fulfillment of the present and anticipated needs of Cornell students, faculty and staff
• Provide assistance and instruction on how to locate and use these resources
• Provide facilities and space to accommodate the library's collections and services as well as research and study

Vision: Leadership through excellent, innovative library service

Cornell University Library Priorities

• Create an innovative digital library. [digital library]
• Build the collections required of a major university according to a rational collection policy. [collection development]
• Organize the collection for effective use. [organization]
• Preserve the collections in their diverse formats for future generations of scholars. [preservation]
• Promote more efficient use of existing Library resources and add new resources to advance the Library's mission. [funding]
• Provide outstanding public service in support of Cornell's information needs. [service to the public]
• Create a productive and collegial work environment in which staff have the flexibility and support to achieve their assigned responsibilities. [staff]

Goals and Objectives

I. Create an innovative digital library that is collaborative and part of campus-wide, intercollegiate, national and global initiatives.

• Build a cohesive digital library that is available to Cornell faculty, students, staff and alumni 24 hours a day, seven days a week, wherever they may be.
  1. Implement the Library Gateway, provide for its enhancement, and allocate resources for its maintenance
  2. Select and implement a library management system which adheres to evolving standards and systems.
  3. Explore digital archiving alternatives.
  4. Recommend a short-term access and archiving policy for CUL images.
  5. Expand access to electronic resources in a variety of formats (audio, visual, numeric, spatial, and text) through purchase, license, local creation, or collaborative projects.
  6. Plan for the extension of electronic reserves for all courses.
  7. Inventory existing digital resources.
  8. Explore electronic publishing options and recommend viable alternatives to Cornell.
  9. Assess distance learning needs and develop strategy for Library support.
  10. Increase support for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) through the acquisition of GIS software and the provision of training in a collaborative manner.
  11. Upgrade and provide for the ongoing maintenance of public and staff computer workstations and other equipment needed to create and access information in electronic form.

II. Build the collections required of a major university according to a rational collection development policy.

III. Organize the collection for effective use, preserve the collections in their diverse formats for future generations of scholars, and safeguard for secure access.

• A. Provide for the ongoing growth of the collections and reduce the inefficiencies resulting from the overcrowding in the library stacks by building the expansion to the Library Annex and moving into it lesser-used materials from campus libraries.
• B. Assess measures required to secure the collections from theft, harm, or deterioration.
• C. Develop a library-wide assessment of spatial needs and estimate the cost of renovation or addition.
• D. Prioritize spatial needs and plan for the renovation or expansion of Library space in cooperation with the colleges and university facilities management.
• E. Provide bibliographic access to electronic resources through metadata, cataloging, and other means and enhance access to other formats by adding table of contents data or abstracts to bibliographic records.
• F. Initiate efforts to complete the retrospective conversion of manual files for bibliographic records.

IV. Promote more efficient use of existing Library resources and add new resources to advance the Library's mission.

• A. Review Library operations and services to determine their effectiveness and recommend innovations to improve services with no increased support, to reduce current costs, either through more efficient or alternative processes.
• B. Link development activities to Library priorities and create a plan to increase private donations to the Library, working with Alumni Affairs and Development to harmonize with University initiative.
• C. Identify opportunities for funding from private foundations and public agencies and prepare proposals to solicit funding for Library priorities.
• D. Evaluate Library funding needs and prepare a financial plan for the University Administration with a realistic assessment of Library financial needs

• Work with faculty, students, and staff on their needs for the library of the 21st century; publicize and explain changes, provide appropriate training, and develop electronic assistance.

• A. Establish standards for good performance and service and measure performance against them.
• B. Foster staff development by supporting training and continuing education programs and by encouraging participation in professional activities.
• C. Redesign staff work spaces to provide efficient, functional, attractive, and ergonomically sound environments.
• D. Create processes and structures that will ensure routine and regular communication and coordination among all library operations.

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dih 3/10/98