General Approach Based on Terms of Reference

Revised January 13, 2006

PARAMETERS

1. Goal is to update the Library’s 2002-2005 Library’s Strategic Directions and Major Initiatives documents in a short process, producing a strategic plan for the next 2-3 years. Our terms of reference suggest two documents (Strategic Directions and Major Initiatives) but we can consider consolidating in one.

2. Work with what is know of the University’s strategic directions (http://adv.queensu.ca/lookingahead/dynamic.php)

3. Take a user perspective and promote a culture of assessment: use 2004 LibQUAL+ findings and feedback gathered in this strategic planning process, but we won’t conduct a new user survey.

4. Provide a public website with background materials, draft documents and comments mechanism.

STEPS

January-February

1. Review 2002-2005 documents: did this framework serve us well?
2. Environmental scan and SWOT, internal and external:
   1. Organize a thought-provoking event for late February, open to the university as well as all library staff, with an engaging keynote speaker and panel of students and faculty.
   2. Research topics, beginning in January, with assistance from colleagues as appropriate, and following above event prepare a document providing an overview on trends and issues in:
      1. Queen’s faculties
      2. Information technology
      3. Public policy
      4. Scholarly communications and publishing
      5. Changes in the academic enterprise
      6. Demographics
      7. Human resources
      8. Facilities/space
      9. Partnerships/consortia
3. Conduct analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT), with an external facilitator and the addition of several individuals to the Group so that all home units are represented and there is user community participation.

March to mid-April

3. Draft a brief discussion document, with questions or themes arising from the environmental scan and SWOT; circulate and solicit feedback from:
1. All staff
2. All librarians
3. AUL Forum
4. Functional and Support Teams
5. Management Team
6. Home Units
7. Senate Library Committee
8. Library Advisory Committees
9. Vice-Principal Academic
10. Vice-Principal Research

Meetings of the above groups will provide opportunities for discussion. Functional and Support Team Leaders and Heads of Units will bring feedback from their groups to the AUL Forum meeting. Feedback will be accepted from individuals as well, via email and a non-anonymous comments mechanism on the planning website.

Mid-April to May

4. With the assistance of an external facilitator, synthesize feedback and ideas; draft Strategic Directions 2006-08; circulate and solicit feedback from above groups.

5. Functional and Support Teams and Home Units begin identifying tentative actions and timelines.

June

6. Review feedback; revise Strategic Directions 2006-08 document; present final document at an All Staff meeting.

7. Functional and Support Teams and Home Units confirm actions and timelines, and report to Management Team.

July

8. Prepare Major Initiatives 2006-08 document, with feedback from AUL Forum (representatives of Functional and Support Teams and Home Units), and possibly merge with Strategic Directions 2006-08 document for printing as one document.