Libraries Strategic Priorities 2030
Introduction
A strategic plan that establishes a vision for the future and a set of measurable goals and objectives to help guide decisions is essential to Boston University’s long-term growth and evolution. In October 2018, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Jean Morrison launched a University-wide strategic planning process and appointed a Strategic Planning Task Force.
As BU looks ahead to the next decade, we are developing a vision that builds on the success of our previous 2007 strategic plan, Choosing to Be Great, and its 2014 update. The new vision will establish a set of commitments that align with our mission and values and clearly articulates our aspirations as a global research university.
The University Libraries are central to this new vision.
In addition to the Task Force, Provost Morrison appointed in March 2019 two subcommittees to examine important areas that require careful thinking. One of those groups is the Subcommittee on Scholarly Resources & Services – Libraries. University Librarian K. Matthew Dames is chairing this Subcommittee, which will guide the University in envisioning how our Libraries can support faculty and students in a digital, interdisciplinary, and collaborative environment.
Inquiry
The Libraries Subcommittee will explore several questions, including:
- What should be the role of the Libraries in managing and curating research data, capturing and displaying scholarly activities, and organizing and preserving contributions to the scholarly record?; and
- In what ways can the Libraries’ physical and virtual space be reconfigured to allow for new forms of collaboration and experiential learning?
Membership
The members of the Libraries Subcommittee are
Chair:
K. Matthew Dames, University Librarian (ul@bu.edu)
Members:
Daniel Abramson, Professor of American & European Architecture, College of Arts & Sciences (dabr@bu.edu)
Andrew Duffy, Master Lecturer in Physics, College of Arts & Sciences (aduffy@bu.edu)
Wayne Gilmore, Director of Research Computing, Information Services & Technology (waygil@bu.edu)
Jordana Muroff, Associate Professor of Social Work, School of Social Work (jmuroff@bu.edu)
Carrie Preston, Director, Kilachand Honors College; and Professor of English and Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies, College of Arts & Sciences (cjpresto@bu.edu)
In addition, the Libraries have convened a Strategic Planning Liaison Committee, which will provide research, communications, and logistical support both to the Libraries Subcommittee and the Libraries’ staff.
The members of the Liaison Committee are
Co-Chair:
Arlyne Jackson, Head, Frederick S. Pardee Management Library
Members:
Daniel Benedetti, Head, Pickering Educational Resources Library
David Fristrom, Head, Science & Engineering Library
Holly Mockovak, Head, Music Library
Nasim Parveen, Librarian, Stone Science Library
Beth Restrick, Head, African Studies Library
Process
The Libraries Subcommittee began its work in Winter 2019. Its work will continue through Fall 2019. The University’s strategic planning process is due to conclude with a final submission to the Board of Trustees in Spring 2020.