Academic and Research Libraries Section
French Russian
Strategic Plan
2006-2007
(Updated: 31 March 2006)
Mission
The Academic and Research Libraries Section promotes and strengthens the development, cooperation and good management of academic and research libraries in all countries. The Section fosters collaboration with national and parliamentary libraries represented in Division 1 and with special interest Sections across IFLA.
The Academic and Research Libraries Section's programs encourage the:
- integration of the library in the core institutional functions of learning, teaching, research and services;
- research and recognition of the contribution and impact of the library on its various constituencies; and
- involvement of the library into the broader national and international frameworks for information policy.
The Academic and Research Libraries Section's programs support library work to:
- develop and create COLLECTIONS and resources in all formats to support institutional teaching and research missions;
- design, deliver and promote innovative SERVICES that meet user information needs and expectations;
- develop the Library as study, research and intellectual SPACE and ensure a safe and secure physical environment for collections and an inspiring environment for users and staff;
- enhance physical and intellectual ACCESS to the Libraries' collections including digital resources;
- improve and expand programs to PRESERVE research resources in all formats to assure long-term access;
- employ TECHNOLOGY in effective ways to improve access and services;
- attract, retain, develop and reward a diverse and highly skilled STAFF and improve organizational management and communication;
- expand the LEADERSHIP role and visibility of the Libraries in the campus community and in the global academic and professional communities;
- build the RESOURCES to support the collection and access needs of faculty and students; and
- build PARTNERSHIPS within the institution, with other research libraries nationally and globally to enhance the effectiveness and extend the resources of the Libraries for the benefit of communities served.
The strategic goals, objectives and actions outlined below are constructed on the three pillars of IFLA, that is Society, Profession and Membership. In all cases, the plan will be advanced through conference educational programs, publications, policy positions, and research activities.
Goals
1. Enable academic and research libraries worldwide to advance the public interest and to achieve the institutional objectives of successful learners, effective teachers, and productive and excellent scholars.
Supporting IFLA professional priorities: a) Supporting the role of libraries in society; c) Promoting literacy, reading and lifelong learning; d) Providing unrestricted access to information; e Balancing the intellectual property rights of authors with the needs of users; f) Promoting resource sharing; g) Preserving our intellectual heritage; h) Developing library professionals; i) Promoting standards, guidelines, and best practices.
1.1 Expand and improve worldwide access to electronic content, services and tools that support education and research.
Actions:
- work with IFLA Committee on Copyright and Other Legal Matters to represent our interests in global legislative and legal developments affecting libraries
- advocate for expanded open access to scholarly and educational resources
- promote the development of institutional repositories
- increase awareness among librarians, scholars and institutional administrators, and the general public on key challenges affecting scholarly communication
1.2 Expand and improve the digitization and preservation of the global and national heritage.
Actions:
- establish liaison with UNESCO "Memory of the World" project
- document key policies, standards and best practices supporting institutional and national digital production and preservation activities
- promote the availability of online resources in languages other than English and the development of multi-lingual search engines
1.3 Reduce global and national barriers to international library cooperation.
Actions:
- enable programs that facilitate global interlibrary loan and document delivery
- document best practices in the implementation and development of library cooperative and consortial organizations
- create training program for librarians on how to work effectively in cooperative programs and structures, and advance transnational programs for librarians to work in or host librarians from the IFLA global community
2. Advance and improve the role of academic and research librarians and other information professionals in their institutions, in their communities, and in the world.
Supporting IFLA professional priorities: a) Supporting the role of libraries in society; h) Developing library professionals; i) Promoting standards, guidelines and best practices
2.1 Enable the development of leadership and communication skills by librarians.
Actions:
- work with Section on Library Education to evaluate the professional education curriculum in these areas
- develop and implement training experiences in key areas of personal communication, project management, research and documentation, quality assessment
2.2 Raise the profile of library professionals in the communities they serve and in the global mind.
Actions:
- develop and implement training experiences in the areas of public relations and advocacy
- document and recognize best practices in library public relations on the national and institutional levels
3. Provide expanded services to the membership of the Section and to attendees at IFLA conferences.
Relation to IFLA professional priorities: a) Supporting the role of libraries in society; h) Developing Library Professionals
3.1 Retain and grow Section membership.
3.2 Provide members with resources and tools to demonstrate the value of IFLA membership and participation.
3.3 Improve Section communication through development of a plan on the who and how of information distribution and member interaction.
