Mission and Vision Draft (3/13/98)

To the Library:

Following are drafts of two pieces of the Library's Long Range Planning effort. The Mission Statement you have seen before in several drafts. We have added a "Vision" Statement that describes the environment we see for the UCSB Library in the future, plus our thoughts on how the Library should respond to that environment. The Long Range Planning Committee seeks your comments, questions, and suggestions on these statements. You may look at them under "Planning Committee" on InfoSurf (under "Inside the Library"). The latest drafts of the Committee's work will always be there.

The Vision Statement is a critical element within our long range planning efforts because it describes our general directions and priorities for the future. When there is agreement on the Vision Statement, the Committee will begin to draft specific goals and objectives for the Library to achieve the vision described in the Vision Statement. Goals and objectives will be objective statements of specific tasks, projects, processes, and changes that we hope to implement to achieve our Mission and Vision. The goals and objectives will be measurable and some will include timelines so that the Library can assess its progress on achieving them. Therefore, your comments and suggestions at this stage are important because they will help shape our planning agenda for the Library for the next several years.

We have received substantial input from LAUC during this process. The Committee has discussed the best ways for involvement of the rest of the Library employees. Since classified staff do not meet as a group, we understand the difficulties of getting staff input into the planning process. We are leaning toward scheduling several meetings in Library Departments where Committee members can meet with classified staff to describe the planning efforts, answer questions, and hear comments on general library concerns or specific concerns of staff members. We would also be very happy to hear any other suggestions for encouraging staff input to the Long Range Plan.

Please feel free to contact any member of the Committee with suggestions or questions. We sincerely appreciate your comments.

Long Range Planning Committee
Larry Carver
Sherry Dedecker
David Howarter
Nerea Llamas
Bruce Tiffney (consultant)
John Vasi, Chair

UCSB LIBRARY MISSION

The University Library is the repository and gateway for information required to advance the academic and research programs at UCSB. It is an integral component of a campus of international importance, actively pursuing university and external support to provide leading edge information services. In collaboration with the diverse academic community, the Library anticipates campus information needs and provides resources through critical selection and efficient delivery systems. The library participates in the educational process, providing instruction for information literacy and life-long learning.

The Library is also a partner within the University of California library system, developing a world class information access program to meet the expanding needs of all Californians for information. The Library is a major contributor to the UC system through its unique collections and services. It also shares in the resources of other UC libraries through coordinated programs for access and collections development.

UCSB LIBRARY VISION: 1998

As a part of the internationally acclaimed UCSB campus, the Library is a full partner in the educational mission of the University. As modes of information availability and delivery evolve, the Library provides access to these through on-site and remote collections. The Library's instructional activities include greater collaboration with academic departments to integrate information resources directly into the learning process.

This vision will require intensified sharing of print resources, databases, and technology, with cooperation and partnerships among libraries, publishers, and users. Library personnel will offer flexible responses to the rapid and dramatic changes in patterns of information access. Library facilities will be expanded and upgraded to provide space and equipment for efficient access to all information sources, regardless of location.

The UCSB Library will be successful in the 21st century through its ability to:

develop an open, collegial environment among library personnel which encourages diversity, creativity, and organizational flexibility
develop and provide access to collections to answer the needs of different disciplines of an internationally acclaimed university
promote user-centered services which recognize scholar needs as the library's primary focus
establish a collaborative instructional environment with the campus that complements and expands the learning process
create new facilities designed to integrate printed and electronic resources in an effective environment for instruction and research
collaborate with UC and external information providers to enhance access to information in any form

Author: John Vasi Last modified: March 13, 1998
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