CCSU MISSION:
Central Connecticut State University is a community of learners dedicated to teaching and to scholarship. We encourage the development and application of knowledge and ideas through research and outreach activities. We prepare students to be thoughtful, responsible and successful citizens.

BURRITT LIBRARY MISSION:
The mission of Elihu Burritt Library is to provide quality information services and collections in support of the University’s educational goals and, in so doing, meet the information needs of a premier Northeastern regional university.

GOALS:
1. To provide and promote excellent and innovative library services, and improve methods in assisting library users in accessing appropriate informational resources.

2. To provide digital services and collections and the infrastructure to support on and off campus users and to become a major resource for digital services that support the curriculum

3. To develop and maintain library collections according to well defined plans and policies

4. To expand and expedite convenient access to these collections through efficient processing and organizing of materials.

5. To continue to evaluate organization structure and operations and to manage human resources effectively.

6. To utilize space resources effectively while ensuring proper maintenance, service and use of existing equipment, furnishings and facilities as well as to ensure safety and security for library occupants and materials.

The mission of the Library supports the University’s mission completely. The provision of services and collections are a foundation for the community of faculty and students to draw upon in their learning, teaching and scholarship.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

I. Information Services
GOAL: To provide and promote excellent and innovative library services, and improve methods in assisting library users in accessing appropriate informational resources.

Strategic Actions:
A. Survey the needs of the users to guide planning and budgeting

B. Plan for broadening virtual reference service

C. Broaden instructional efforts, (WebCT, FYE, etc) in order to instill independent learning skills

D. Provide more sophisticated online guides and tutorials

E. Enhance development of user research through instruction and reinforcement of learning skills.

F. Develop faculty outreach programs

G. Actively participate in faculty development activities in offering instruction on new information technologies

H. Provide specialized support for the Ed.D. and other Ph.D. programs

I. Promote staff training, particularly in regard to digital programs

II. Digital Services
GOAL: To provide for growth of digital services and collections as well as the infrastructure required to support digital initiatives for the curriculum.

Strategic actions:
A. Maximize synergies among appropriate university services, such as ITS, the Media Center, and the Microcomputer Lab

B. Expand the number of stations – with appropriate furniture – throughout the library, including the stacks

C. Expand networking utilizing wireless and thin-client technology

D. Reorganize reference area, classroom and 2nd floor to provide available and easily accessible workstations

E. Increase utilization and awareness of the wireless network

F. Integrate the classroom into the Media Center upgrade schedule

G. Use state of the art technologies for timely delivery of data text and multi-media resources, e.g., electronic reserves, in support of classroom activities

III. Collection Development
GOAL: To develop and maintain library collections according to well defined plans and policies.

Strategic actions:
A. Identify research and scholarship needs of the community

B. Develop comprehensive collection development plan, including all material types, including serials, digital, maps, newspapers, etc.

C Build collections in appropriate formats according to the identified needs of the curriculum using ACRL Standards

D. Take initiative in collecting and preserving materials of historical value to CCSU and the local community

E. Reinforce cooperative collection building within the CONSULS structure

F. Improve communication among the Connecticut State University libraries

G. Expand interlibrary services to permit for purchased materials

IV. Technical Services
GOAL: To expand and expedite convenient access to these collections through efficient processing and organizing of materials.

Strategic actions:
A. Perform a comprehensive analysis of Acquisitions and Cataloging workflow to ascertain duplication level, efficiencies and appropriate assignments

B. Compare cost and effectiveness between current practice and outsourcing

V. Administrative Services
GOAL: To continue to evaluate organizational structure and operations and to manage human resources effectively.

Strategic actions:
A. Gain support for appropriate funding in order to support all library services

B. Form a library statistics committee to review what should be kept, by whom and how accessed

C. Continue to review organizational structure for improvements, efficiencies, etc.

D. Actively participate in faculty development activities in offering instruction on new information technologies

E. Improve interdepartmental communications through the creation of cross-departmental teams

F. Continue to develop possibilities for cross training

G. Gain University support for adherence to ACRL Standards for staff growth.

VI. Facilities
GOAL: To utilize space resources effectively while ensuring proper maintenance, service and use of existing equipment, furnishings and facilities as well as to ensure safety and security for library occupants and materials.

Strategic actions:
A. Continue to explore possibilities for additional space until library renovation is implemented (2010?)

B. Request support for compact shelving and/or off-site storage

C. Continue to analyze the print collection for possible withdrawal or transfer

D. Request support for updating the 2d floor, e.g., furniture, carpeting

E. Begin to develop specifications for building renovation/expansion

F. Develop thorough analysis of current building needs

G. Encourage support for clean, safe and aesthetically pleasing physical space for both quiet individual study and group discussions

H. Gain University support for adherence to the ACRL Standards for space needs

Priority Responsibility Completion Gap Analysis

Goal 1
To provide and promote excellent and innovative library services . . .

A 1 Ref,CD,Acq/Ser Spring 04 no recent data

B 3 Ref, Sys, CSU libs Fall 04 +

C 1 Ref, Director Spring 04 + insufficient staff to cover student body

D 2 Ref Ongoing

E 1 Ref Ongoing

F 1 Ref, CD Ongoing Need to do library PR

G 1 Ref,Director Fall 04

H 1 Ed.D. team Ongoing Add’l support needed in several areas

I 1 Director Ongoing Insufficient funds to support training

Goal 2 
To provide digital services, collections/infrastructure . . .

A 1+ Sys, Director Ongoing Previously no real interaction

B 1+ Sys, ITS, Dir Ongoing Need for twice the number of stations

C 1 Sys, ITS Ongoing

D 1 Ref, Dir Ongoing Insufficient stations for number of users

E 1 Ref, CD Ongoing

F 1 Sys, Ref

G 1 Sys + Ongoing

Goal 3
To develop and maintain library collections . . .

A 1 CD Libn/Selectors Spring 04 No current info

B 1 CD Libn/Selectors Jan 05

C 1 CD Libn/Selectors Ongoing (See ACRLStandards)

D 1 Spec.Coll/Sys Ongoing Initiated with grant

E 1 CD Libn/Director Ongoing Need stronger cooperative effort

F 1 Director Ongoing

G 1 ILL, Director Fall 04

Goal 4
To expand and expedite access to collections . . .

A 1 Acq/Cat team Fall 04

B 1 Acq/Cat team Fall 04

Goal 5
To continue to evaluate organizational structure and operations and to manage human resources effectively

A 1 Director ongoing (see ACRL Standards)

B 1 Director/Faculty Spring 04 clarification needed

C 1 Director/Faculty Ongoing

D 1 Director Ongoing need small cross dept’l teams

E 1 Director/Dept Heads Ongoing requirement due to lack of staff

F 1 Director Ongoing (see ACRL Standards)

Goal 6
To utilize space resources effectively . . .

A 1 Director/Faculty Ongoing Survival for 5-10 years

B 1 Director Ongoing " " " "

C 1 Director/CollDev Ongoing Focus on space needs

D 1 Director Spring 05 Major upgrade needed

E 2 Director/Faculty Fall 04 + Renovation 2010??

F 1 Director/Faculty Spring 04

G 1 Director/Faculty Ongoing Need for maintenance

H 1 Director/Facilities Ongoing (see ACRL Standards)

SECTION 5
That the Library needs significantly more financial support from the University is an understatement. Budgetary problems have plagued the University and the problems have been passed to the Library through substantial cuts over the past several years. We have severe staffing shortages, space shortages, and our collection budgets have been cut drastically, even more so due to inflation.

If the Library is to maintain any credibility within the institution, particularly as the University begins to develop doctoral programs, considerably more resources will have to be directed to it.

If the Library is to provide its students with the tools they will need to compete in an information society, considerably more resources will have to be directed to it.

If we are moving from a master’s level institution to one that delivers doctoral programs, considerable more resources will have to be directed to it.

The good will of the staff has taken the Library a long way, but there is little more we can do without the resources to help us progress.

SECTION 6
Forthcoming

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