The Library will accelerate the integration of electronic resources into library collections, support archival initiatives for online resources, digitize and make accessible unique local resources, and respond effectively to broad-based developments, such as Google Scholar and Open Access.

Outcomes

• Maximized access to collections, managed within space constraints and in continued support of University curriculum and research needs
• Continued access to resources assured
• Digitized unique University resources which will create teaching and research opportunities
• Raised Library profile as recognized source for digital resources and news
• Engaged staff  and continuous professional development

Strategies

• Develop and publish on the Library web site a collection policy for digital/electronic resources, articulating selection parameters for choosing print and/or electronic versions of resources and including a priority list available to staff
• Commit to long-term archival access to electronic resources; continue investing in high quality initiatives (such as JSTOR, Project Muse)
• Incorporate statistics into collection assessment
• Devise policies and guidelines and identify University support for
  • a Library Institutional Repository
  • the digitization of primary resource material
• Write articles for BU Today and other BU news outlets, on library and information topics important to the university community, such as the implications of current copyright law for access to scholarly resources
• Publicize services to the BU community with regular updates on Library web site; manage news via a Content Management System
• Seek funding opportunities

The Library considers all interactions with students and faculty opportunities for communication and instruction.

Outcomes

• Integration of library research skills into the educational process and development of a better understanding among students of the importance of these skills in successfully completing research assignments
• Increased relevancy and availability of instruction while accommodating different learning styles

Strategies

• Establish priorities, re-configure instructional programs based on assessments such as Project SAILS
• Build a multi-functional eClassroom on first floor of Mugar
• Collaborate with faculty, the Office of Distance Education, and Office of Information Technology to ensure that students in distance education programs have access to needed resources
• Foster and enhance ongoing partnerships with faculty

Library staff will continually refine the Library's Catalog and the Library's web site in order to facilitate discovery, access, and delivery.

Outcomes

• Extended access for users, including remote users, as services and resources become more transparent
• More skilled and knowledgeable users, regardless of location
• Improved service performance
• Expanded online presentation of Library services
• Enhanced working partnerships
• Augmented collection descriptions
• Staff opportunities for creativity, collaboration, and education expanded

Strategies

• Expand usability testing by involving more staff. Promote the adoption of usability testing as appropriate with other products of the Library
• Articulate a policy to determine what goes into the Catalog
• Devise, publicize, and integrate additional methods of help and instruction
• Implement new resources such as ILLiad, SFX, and ERM
• Increase scanning and delivery options
• Generate suites of web pages from locally produced databases
• Optimize the implementation of Innovative
• Develop a policy for digital access to copyrighted materials while expanding eReserves
• Sustain or devise new internal and external working partnerships (e.g., Law, Theology and Medical Libraries; IT; consortia; vendors)
• Pursue opportunities for study, testing and integration of new techniques, systems
• Continue to help users become more self sufficient through improved signage, the creation of additional online forms for user services, and expanding patron-initiated resource sharing.

The Library will be as flexible as possible so that resources can be allocated based on strategic planning and ongoing assessment. Staff interactions and conversations with students, faculty and alumni (informal assessments)  will be coupled with qualitative assessments of outcomes and quantitative assessments of resource use. Decisions will be supported by data and policies.

Student employees significantly contribute to the Library while gaining research skills and work experience. The Library's continual training, supervision and evaluation of student employees results in excellent service for users and a rich, meaningful experience for student employees.

Outcomes

• Budget, staff, and space allocations reviewed and aligned with University's and Library's strategic plans
• Streamlined operations
• Creation of a colleagial learning community
• Enriched experience for student employees

Strategies

• Enhance training for all staff
• Allocate staff and space
• Select processes and operations to improve
• Gather and make available accurate and usable statistics to improve processes or assess the impact of the Library's work
• Upgrade equipment according to priorities
• Participate in a national research initiative, such as MINES
• Augment the training, evaluation, and recognition of student employees