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LogoCBB Libraries Strategic Plan May 1997
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Mission

Colby, Bates and Bowdoin colleges are distinct institutions with unique histories, values, cultures and missions.
The primary mission of each CBB library is to advance the mission of each college.
The Colleges may realize strategic advantages by developing cooperative programs, and included among them are programs to coordinate efforts to acquire and deliver information.
CBB Libraries will work to achieve those advantages that derive from cooperation, coordination and collaboration, and in doing so, will strengthen each College.

Vision

By the year 2000, CBB Libraries, working together, will make their collective information resources available to all CBB students, faculty and staff. They will work to gether to extend the reach of CBB library users by providing access to information resources throughout the world. They will develop joint programs, facilities and services that enhance their ability to provide information services to CBB users. They wil l make the CBB Libraries a model for effective collaboration among private liberal arts colleges.

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1. Provide maximum access for students, faculty and staff of CBB colleges to all information resources of the libraries.

Objectives

  1. Develop common access and delivery systems for library collections.
    1. Develop a common graphical approach to shared library collections.
    2. Develop a mechanism to allow simultaneous search of CBB library catalogs.
    3. Develop and implement direct patron-generated borrowing.
    4. Develop shared loan rules.
    5. Develop shared borrowing policies.
    6. Develop reciprocal agreements for non-circulating formats (non-book formats, special collections, reference materials, etc.).
    7. Explore alternatives for document delivery and make improvements to reduce delivery time.
  2. Improve access to electronic information and services for CBB users.
  3. Develop improved telecommunications links for CBB library services.
  4. Investigate, plan and build videoconferencing service.
  5. Develop communication ties and cooperative programs with CBB information services/information technology organizations.
  6. Work with information services staff and faculty members to promote information and information technology use

    1. Develop user education programs.
    2. Develop workshops, seminars and formal events to demonstrate successful approaches to information use
    3. Develop shared training materials.
    4. Develop library, information services and faculty member teams to identify and meet curricular needs.
    5. Support individual faculty members work.

     

  7. Coordinate collection management among CBB libraries.

    1. Identify a shared framework for collection development policy.
    2. Explore shared tools for collection analysis.
    3. Investigate common approval plan.
    4. Identify needed collection development agreements, and implement as appropriate (government publications, serials retention, collection development, special collections, etc.).
    5. Review structures for managing joint licensing agreements, make necessary modifications, and seek new joint licensing opportunities.


  8. Develop joint facilities or programs to contain costs.

    1. Investigate and plan shared off-site storage facility.
    2. Investigate options for collaboration on other services, such as processing or digitization.



Goal 2. Share expertise, staff development and training among library staffs.

Objectives

  1. Create joint working groups to accomplish Goal 1.
  2. Identify specialized tasks requiring unique expertise among staff members, and assign appropriately.
  3. Identify and develop needed training and staff development programs.



Goal 3. Develop effective means to manage and publicize CBB efforts .

Objectives

  1. Build common decision ma king framework for CBB planning and activities that identifies key decision points and obtains approval from appropriate levels (department, Library director, Dean, President) for projects and priorities.
  2. Redesign, from ground up, group structure and consortial expectations of CBB Libraries teams and working groups, and integrate them into decision making framework.
  3. Identify project teams to accomplish Mellon project objectives, and establish oversight and time lines.
  4. Develop plans and expectations to inform and involve staffs at CBB libraries in joint activities.
  5. Develop public relations plan to inform users, constituencies and the others about CBB services, activities and accomplishments.