Library Strategic Plan, 1998-2002

• Purpose

• Mission

• Vision

• Values

• Assessment, Challenges, Opportunities

  • External

  • Internal

• Recommendations
  1. Collections
  2. Library Instruction
  3. Reference Services
  4. Access Services
  5. Cataloging
  6. Technology
  7. CHE Library Services
  8. Facilities
  9. Community Relations
  10. Staffing
  11. Funding

This plan provides direction and outlines specific strategies and actions for the DVC Library for the next five years.  The plan will be revised and updated each year.  The plan will help to ensure a comprehensive library program that is responsive to the needs of our students and faculty.

The Diablo Valley College Library provides a student-centered learning environment with quality library and information services and resources.  The Library supports academic excellence by providing intellectual, physical, and electronic access to information, ideas, and services for a diverse community.  The Library encourages and facilitates information competency, critical thinking, intellectual independence, and lifelong learning.

• Serve as a student-centered library in which quality services and student success are primary goals recognized and shared by all staff.
• Support academic excellence by the acquisition, organization, maintenance, and presentation of resources in multiple formats necessary for current and anticipated instructional programs.
• Develop information literate students who can effectively identify, access, utilize, create and evaluate information resources.
• Promote individual and collaborative learning by providing spaces in which individuals and groups can study, reflect , and be creative in a rich, dynamic and welcoming environment.
• Lead the college in the management of information resources and in the creative and effective use of new technologies.
• Develop partnerships with other educational systems, libraries, the community, businesses, and our students and faculty.
• Integrate cultural diversity in our programs, collections and staff.
• Serve as a center for life-long learning by providing information, activities and environments for independent study and self-directed, interactive and collaborative learning.

• Providing quality library and information services, resources and staff support to students and faculty.
• Supporting innovation, creativity, and flexibility in the Library and the College.
• Respecting the individual and valuing diversity.
• Promoting academic excellence.
• Commitment to equitable access to information and technology.
• Honoring the past and creating the future.
• Supporting intellectual freedom.

External

A recent study by the Benton Foundation found that although Americans are patronizing bookstores in large numbers, and using personal computers in growing numbers, they do not seem to be abandoning libraries.  Quite the contrary, the three activities appear to cross-fertilize one another.  Libraries that have been offering Internet access to the public for several years have found that, instead of replacing the conventional use of the library, electronic access (even to full-text sources) has stimulated book borrowing, browsing, and use of printed reference materials.  It appears that electronic libraries not only provide information directly, but also advertise the existence of documents available in print and the vast stores of resources in all media available at libraries individually and collectively.  The fact is that with the dawn of the information age libraries are being used more than ever before.  For libraries there is no choice between providing documents in print and information on a screen; they must offer both.

The problem is not access to information, but its overabundance.  The challenge is to winnow what is useful out of the vast amount of information available and to select, evaluate, describe, and present relevant information.  The information age has redefined the librarians’ role.  Instead of being caretakers of materials, librarians are information stewards and navigators;  guides for people who need assistance in defining their information needs as well as those who don't know how to find information;  instructors who teach information competency skills and promote information literacy.  Librarians play a critical role in ensuring that libraries become organizers and mediators of knowledge, basing new service patterns on real needs and behavior of students and faculty.  The future of learning will require integration of new technologies and new models of learning, and librarians will need to collaborate with academic and vocational teaching faculty and technical support personnel in preparing students for the changing learning environment.  Librarians will be helping students develop skills in thinking critically about resources that they are accessing remotely or in the library and helping them develop information competency skills.  The challenges are great and libraries need increasing support for collections, equipment, facilities, programs and staff.

Internal

Title V guidelines call for a minimum book collection of 125,000 and current periodical subscriptions of 1,000.  The DVC Library collection currently includes 90,000 volumes of books and 287 current paid subscriptions to periodicals.  The number of book titles added to the book collection in 1996/97 was 712.  A recent analysis of the book collection showed that only 10% of the collection had publication dates later than 1989.  This means that in vital areas of the curriculum, such as vocational programs, sciences, technology, cultural diversity, etc., there is a dearth of new materials available for students and faculty.   For the past 20+ years the budget for library materials has remained essentially the same while the cost of books has increased an average of 5% each year and periodical subscriptions an average of 11% each year.

Use of Library services is promoted through a comprehensive program of orientation, instruction, credit courses, basic skills/ESL programs, and printed materials designed to assure effective use of these resources by students, faculty and staff.  Reference Librarians are available to assist students, faculty and staff during all the hours that the Library is open.  Title III grant funding has enabled the library to open and implement an Information Commons, combining access to electronic resources with reference librarians to help students navigate these resources.  The Library and Information Technology Certificate Program prepares students for employment as Library Assistants/Technicians in a variety of libraries.

The Library's online catalog and automation system, which is shared with Contra Costa and Los Medanos Colleges,  provides information to students and faculty about the Library's book and periodical collection, Media Service's collection, the collections at the other district and partner libraries, as well as access to networked collections and databases.  This access is provided in the Library as well as from home and office.

The Library at the Center for Higher Education, San Ramon, in 1997 was open 22.5 hours a week and is staffed by a part-time Librarian and part-time Library Assistant.  In 1997/98 these hours were funded through Title III.  Library services cannot  be provided without the Library being open and it is critical that a plan for library services for the 3000 students and faculty at CHE be developed and that plans begin to be developed for the library at the future Dougherty Valley Center.

The Library presently has 37,366 sq. ft. and occupies the second floor and mezzanine of the Library Building.   This year the Library Building Addition Project was funded for working drawings.  This project will address critical needs for space for students, collections, staff and services.   A Library Building Committee was formed in Fall 1997 and is presently working with Tom Beckett and with NBBJ Architects and their consultants on the working drawings.  The construction of the addition will begin in spring/summer 1999.

DVC will continue to draw a diverse population by age and level of preparation.  We will see more students who need to master basic library and information skills, a greater disparity in the skills of the “technologically literate” students and those who have little or no library and search/computer experience, and more ESL and international students.  Library staff need to gather information on why and how students and faculty use library services.  We know from past surveys that some of these reasons are for: help from librarians; current collections; student-centered services; support with information/computer needs.  We need to update our information and respond to the needs of our students and faculty for quality library and information services.

1. Collections

Strategy 1.1

• Expand and improve library collections to support the academic, vocational, and lifelong learning goals of the DVC community.

Actions:

1. Library Director, Collection Development/Access Services Librarian, and other Librarians will expand and improve library collections by:
   1. Adding approximately 3000 books each year.
   2. Expanding electronic resources, by partnering with the District and CCC, LMC, County, Bay Area and other libraries throughout the state.
   3. Weeding/updating 1,000 volumes.
   4. Implement use of a leased collection of recent library materials.
2. Collection Development/Access Services Librarian will review and update the Library Collection Development Policy and implement procedures for collection development.
3. Collection Development/Access Services Librarian will work with Information Technology/Reference Librarian on developing web resources organized by DVC instructional division/department.
4. Collection Development/Access Services Librarian will evaluate use of the current subscriptions and back issues of microforms and make recommendations on needs for collections and equipment.
5. Library Staff will work to improve and expand access to electronic resources.
   • Library Director and Librarians will coordinate with District and CCC and LMC libraries to provide equitable access to core collection of shared licensed online resources.
   • Collection Development/Access Services Librarian will coordinate expansion of electronic information collection in various formats including online and CD-ROM products.
   • The Instruction Librarian will coordinate instruction of students in use the new electronic resources.
   • Information Technology/Reference Librarian will implement networked CD-ROM capability.

Budget implications:

• In 1998/99 budget process request a $20,000 additional book budget.

2. Library Instruction

Strategy 2.1

• Respond to increased student and faculty demands for instruction in the use of information resources by incorporating the use of innovative teaching methods and the use of new technologies.

Actions:

1. The Instruction Librarian and other Librarians will develop and offer alternative methods for offering library instruction to various populations via print, online, web based or video instruction.
2. The Instruction Librarian and other Librarians will explore feasibility of general education credit information competency course.
3. The Instruction Librarian will maintain involvement in initiatives at the state, regional, and college level regarding information competency issues.
4. The Library Director, Instruction Librarian and Librarians will institutionalize Basic Skills and ESL library instruction when Title III funds are no longer available.
5. Library Director and Librarians will request hire of additional tenure track librarian positions to come closer to ACRL/AECT standards to meet increased programmatic needs.

Budget implications:

• One additional Instruction/Reference Librarian position in 2000/01 with opening of new library.

Strategy 2.2

• Meet the vocational and employment needs of our local library communities through our Library and Information Technology Certificate Program.

Actions:

1. The Librarians will complete program review of Library and Information Technology Certificate Program in 1998 and Library Director and Librarians will review and implement recommendations.
2. Library Director and Librarians will hold at least two to three Advisory Committee meetings each year and enlist the involvement and suggestions of members in course evaluations, program development and publicity.

3. Reference Services

Strategy 3.1

• Continue to develop and enhance reference services for students and faculty by expanding methods and opportunities for information assistance.  Expand the effectiveness of the key instructional role of reference services.

Actions:

1. Reference Librarian and other Librarians will continue to acquire reference resources in a variety of formats: print, CD, online, etc.
2. The Reference Librarian will coordinate high quality, friendly, student-centered reference services that provide students with necessary information and skills to navigate print and electronic information resources.
3. The Reference Librarian and other Librarians will evaluate, and when appropriate, implement additional and/or alternative ways of providing reference services.
4. The Reference Librarian and the Information Technology Librarian will coordinate, in consultation with other librarians, services provided in the Information Commons.
5. The Reference Librarian and other Librarians will collaborate with CCC, LMC, County and other libraries on mutual reference issues and services.
6. Library Director will request classified position to support reference, periodicals and instruction services in 2000/01 with completion of new library.

Budget Implications:

• One Reference/Periodicals/Instruction Library Assistant II position in 1998/99.

4. Access Services

Strategy 4.1

• Facilitate and coordinate easy, efficient, friendly, effective and successful access to library services and resources:
  1. in various formats.
  2. during a variety of hours and schedules.
  3. to students and faculty.
  4. in the library and from other locations.

Actions:

1. The Collection Development/Access Services Librarian together with other Librarians will develop a survey to determine reasons why students and faculty are currently using the DVC Library and to assess what the Library can do to more effectively meet student and faculty needs.  This survey will be used in Library Program Review.
2. The Collection Development/Access Services Librarian will conduct a needs assessment for document delivery services which respond to requests for materials that are not available in the Library and develop policies and procedures.
3. The Collection Development/Access Services Librarian and the Information Technology/Reference Librarian will install and implement use of ARIEL for document delivery.
4. The Collection Development/Access Services Librarian will implement OCLC Interlibrary Loan.
5. The Collection Development/Access Services Librarian will coordinate signage, displays, and exhibits.

Budget Implications:

• Request that Senior Library Assistant position that was decreased to 50% time (20 hours/week, 12 month) be reinstated as a full time, 12 month position in 1998/99.

5. Cataloging

Strategy 5.1

• Provide timely/effective access to all formats of library collections through our online catalog.

Actions:

1. The Cataloging Librarian will have a priority to eliminate the current backlog of materials to be cataloged and to catalog materials as soon as possible after they arrive in the library.
2. The Cataloging Librarian will complete cataloging of serials backlog in Fall 1998 and maintain serials cataloging.
3. The Cataloging Librarian will work with the Media Services Coordinator to catalog Media Services materials in ALICE.
4. The Cataloging Library will implement use of OCLC and the III OCLC interface in Fall 1998.
5. The Cataloging Librarian will investigate ways to streamline cataloging and processing procedures and present options that might affect public services to other Librarians for consideration.

6. Technology

Strategy 6.1

• Utilize information technology in effective, efficient and equitable ways to expand access to electronic information resources and delivery of library services, enhance library instruction programs, and improve library operations.

Actions:

1. The Information Technology/Reference Librarian will conduct a needs assessment for library technology and coordinate with the Library Director and other Librarians to in 1998/99 develop the Library Technology Plan in accordance with TTIP guidelines and in coordination with the DVC Technology Plan.
2. The Information Technology/Reference Librarian will improve management and use of information technology by Library Staff by:
   • Developing a Library Information Systems Manual to include hardware/software inventory; workstation/network systems map; and operations, troubleshooting and maintenance procedures.
   • Expanding ways to incorporate ongoing staff training and support for technology.
3. The Information Technology/Reference Librarian will continue to build the Library Web Site to provide unified, seamless presentation of electronic information resources via WWW.
4. The Information Technology/Reference Librarian will install and implement use of new technology equipment and software in 1998:  CD-ROM network; digital microform reader/printer; ARIEL workstations; assistive technology equipment.
5. The Information Technology/Reference Librarian will maintain  reliable access to computing resources via campus network in library public areas, classrooms, and staff workstations by:
   • Establishing process and schedule for appropriate hardware and software upgrades.
   • Coordinate appropriate maintenance.
6. The Information Technology/Reference Librarian will assess current printing systems, investigate options for printing, and present alternatives to staff.
7. The Information Technology/Reference Librarian will orient and train staff on new equipment.

7. CHE Library Services

Strategy 7.1

• Provide library services for the 3500 students at the Center for Higher Education, San Ramon.

Actions:

1. The DVC Library and CHE will request funding  for Librarian and Library Assistant so that the CHE Library can be open and services and resources provided for students and faculty.
2. The DVC Library and CHE will request funding for CHE Library materials.

Budget implications:

• Budget augmentation requests will be made for librarian and library assistant hours and for library materials.

8. Facilities

Strategy 8.1

• Complete planning process for library addition and remodeling project.

Actions:

1. The Library Building Committee will work with the Architects, Library Consultant and District Staff on completion of Working Drawings.
2. The Library Director will work with all Library staff to coordinate planning for library addition and remodeling project.

Strategy 8.2

• Plan for temporary library location during building construction, and for library services during construction

Actions:

1. The Library Director will work with District, Campus and Library Staff to locate spaces for library services during building construction.
2. The Library Director will work with library staff and with campus personnel to plan for library services during construction.

9. Community Relations

Strategy 9.1

• Provide for use of the DVC Library by community residents.

Actions:

1. Make community resident card available to residents of Contra Costa County for a fee.

Strategy 9.2

• Seek liaison with community for library services and resources.

Actions:

1. Library Director will serve as an ex-officio member of the Friends of the Library Board and act as liaison between the Library and the Friends.
2. Collections Development/Access services librarian will coordinate artistic and cultural exhibits in the Library.

Strategy 9.3

• Seek to strengthen collaboration and cooperation with other libraries.

Actions:

1. Library Director and Librarians will work with County Library; Bay Area Library and Information System; Bay Area Library and Information Network; Greater Bay Area Library Council; California CC Council of Chief Librarians; area high school  and middle school libraries and other libraries on sharing resources, negotiating electronic resources contracts, and other areas of mutual interest.

10. Staffing

Strategy 10.1

• Meet Title V and ACRL standards for community college library staffing.

Actions:

1. Request increased staffing to more closely meet Title V and ACRL standards.
   • One Instruction/Reference Librarian position in 2000/01.
   • One Reference/Periodicals/Instruction Library Assistant II position in 2000/01.
   • Part-time hours for CHE Librarian and Library Assistant for 1998/99.
   • One full-time CHE Librarian and one Library Assistant in 2000/01.
   • Student assistants: Information Commons; Collection Development.

Strategy 10.2

• Expand staff development and training.

Actions:

1. Library Director and Librarians will plan a series of training programs for Library Staff.
2. DVC Library staff will coordinate with CCC and LMC on staff development training.
3. Plan one joint staff development program with the County Library.

11. Funding

Strategy 11.1

• Seek additional funding for the DVC Library.

Actions:

1. Library Director and Librarians will work with grant staff to write one grant for the DVC Library in 1999/2000.
2. Library Director and Information Technology/Reference Librarian will implement DVC Library participation in Tri-Valley Library grant.
3. Library Director will pursue development of Friends of the Library fundraising for Library Addition materials and equipment.
4. Library Director will work with DVC Foundation on facilities capital campaign.

Home | Contact Us | A-Z Index | Search | Legal Notice
Pleasant Hill campus • 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 • (925) 685-1230
San Ramon campus • 1690 Watermill Road, San Ramon, CA 94582 • (925) 866-1822
©Copyright 2003-2007 Diablo Valley College