Strategic Planning

Digital Library Programs Working Group

Recommendations with illustrative proposals

Recommendations

 

Portal development

Library-wide and participation in OAK and future university portal development.  Create personalized and subject/task-based portals for use by library users.  Both participate in wider university portals (OAK) as well as providing them for use of 'library' resources (metaLib).  Incorporate e-reserves.  Develop services in distinct pieces so they can be used as building blocks for more tailored service bundles and can be put together in different ways.  Establish some unifying elements for a library portal, encouraging library divisions to think as 'one', while allowing for divisional differences and identity.

 

    • Implement Metalib with an eye toward OAK.
    • Establish relationship among various library web sites/portals.
    • Participate in OAK implementation, as support staff and as participants in the enhancement/development process and for reserves.

 

Identify and test new tools for electronic user interaction

Delivery tools, RSS feeds, assignment calculator, tutorials, blogs, etc.  Stay current with developing information delivery tools and maintain and environment where tools can be tested and implemented expeditiously.

 

    • Work with ISAG/Web TF on user interaction tools, instruction modules.

 

Searching library space

Create an overarching search capability that will expose all databases for searching.  Searching the website should be incorporated so that a search leads into/finds all database information.

 

Instruction

Develop a variety of online instruction tools in and for varied learning environments.  Create manageable digital instruction chunks.  Build technology and information literacy along with research and writing skills.

 

    • Work with ISAG/Web TF on user interaction tools, instruction modules.

 

Information Commons

Collaborate with others (schools, OIT, CFT) to create an information space that provides for a melding of library and technology services.  Provide such things as a digitization center and service, high-end digital video creation and editing, writing instruction, group work and study space, support for instructional technology.  Provide knowledgeable staff support covering both information specialties--technology and library.  Redesign traditional library spaces to include a broad scope of electronic capabilities.  Leverage expertise available across campus in helping to decide what to do and what not to do.

 

    • Determine feasibility of creating an Information Commons committee to work with Peabody, Central, Science, undergraduate schools, other offices as partners in designing a university Information Commons.
    • Create and staff a digital studio.
    • Create and staff a statistics/data/GIS center capability.

 

E-publishing

Develop electronic information delivery vehicles such as hosting e-journals, supporting an institutional repository.  Collaborate with the University Press.  Support the creation of and accessibility to electronic content developed/coordinated by Vanderbilt community.

 

    • Provide support for an undergraduate research journal and for AmeriQuest.
    • Implement d-Space as recommended by Advisory Committee.  Appoint coordinator, technology support staff, metadata specialists.

 

Preservation of electronic content

Formulate and implement long term preservation strategies. Explore LOCKSS as a vehicle for intermediate term use.  Seek collaboration with other institutions involved in similar projects.

 

    • Investigate LOCKSS internally and with partners in the southeast.

 

Digital collections

Undertake inventory of all digital or potential digital collections--in the library and within the university.  Develop project proposals.  Begin digitization projects including unique collections and unique/fragile materials.  Investigate collaboration with campus museums for repository.'  Promote outsourcing of staff intensive activities that can be done by others.

 

    • Inventory digital collections and select one to focus on; prepare proposal.

 

Metadata

Establish descriptive information/metadata about all e-resources; implement an Electronic Resource Management System.

 

    • Investigate, select and implement a compatible and effective Electronic Resource Management System.

 

Infrastructure

Create a solid infrastructure--storage, middleware; good information management infrastructure; digital asset management system.  Make use of a digital content management system, web services.  Make all collections OAI-PMH compatible, especially for those where metadata already exists.  Wherever possible, encourage the use of standards--hardware, software, metadata; develop systems that can talk to each other.  Farm out areas that can be supported by ITS, MIS, such as authentication, storage.  Resolve VUnetID issues and improve authorization process.  Establish collaborative relationships with ITS, MIS, schools.  Implement a cost recovery system for public printing.

 

Staffing

Add or reallocate staff positions as deemed needed and when qualified staff are not available for retraining.  Wherever possible, retrain existing staff through long-term and ongoing training program.

 

    • Implement d-Space as recommended by Advisory Committee.  Appoint coordinator, technology support staff, metadata specialists.
    • Add a librarian/programmer position to LITS to provide support for committed projects and immediate development projects.

 

Staff training

Develop a staff training and retraining program in the many technology tools available to us; use current communication tools (blogs, RSS feeds); establish technical information sessions; sharing information and knowledge.

 

    • Create a training program geared toward skills development for staff.

 

Organization

Avoid isolation of digital unit(s) into entirely separate group; no elite group; work with evolution of staff and staff capabilities; identify interests/abilities of staff across system to be pulled in on project.  Digital project work and work with digital project groups need to be part of job description.  Projects must have clear project plan including needs assessment, design, implementation, staffing, costs, project assessment, ongoing review.  A vetting method is needed for digital projects.  Establishing oversight is critical.  This should include vision, leadership, commitment, responsibility, accountability--a champion.  A group (or individual) is needed to seek out opportunities for projects, applications, collaborations, links between groups for new services for system-wide consideration.

 

    • Create something like a technology initiatives committee, maybe to replace Digital Collections Committee.

 

Leadership

Clearly identify goals and priorities; leader (at whichever level) must serve as a champion for pursuing goals and priorities, build excitement and enthusiasm among staff and the university community, and ensure feasibility and accountability.

 

Funding

Seek outside funding--grants, gifts, etc.; seek assistance and partnerships.

 

Marketing/publicity

Develop a publicity, marketing campaign for the Library.  Specifically, find ways to identify our services that are electronic in nature and possible support areas to the university community.  Use communication tools that are consistent with focus on e-resources, e-services--listservs, OAK opportunities.

 

    • Create a marketing program for the library to get the word out.

 

Participate in national initiatives and organizations related to technology in libraries

Participate in dSpace, ETD, SIRSI, Ex Libris, CNI communities.  Monitor need to join DLF. Stay current with W3C (World Wide Web Consortium)..

 

    • Investigate LOCKSS internally and with partners in the southeast.