Strategic Priorities
WashU Libraries’ strategic priorities outlined below are intended to move the Libraries forward in concert with WashU’s Here & Next strategic plan launched in 2022.
Strategic Priorities Framework
Three priority areas underpin the framework:
- Infrastructure
- Collections
- Collaboration
Each of these areas is a distinct focus area and targets a defined need. However, projects will regularly and often relate to more than one of the strategic priorities.
In addition to the priorities, the framework calls out three Guiding Principles of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Academic Distinction, and Research Focus. These principles represent the values of both the Libraries and WashU. The Guiding Principles should be considered when assessing the appropriateness of any Libraries’ undertaking or project and are broader than the priorities themselves.
Infrastructure
Because the modern research library is physical and digital, its underlying infrastructure is also. WashU Libraries has significant infrastructure needs in both areas. All infrastructure investment aims to do more than address shortfalls and leapfrog the Libraries as leaders and valued partners among peer institutions.
Collections
Collections are at the heart of the work of libraries and underpin the broader spectrum of services and programs that the Libraries offer. Formats of collections are changing and expanding, and those changes have impacts on both workflows and library budgets. Librarians are addressing the cultural bias that long-held collections are recognized to reflect. As the university’s research program expands, the libraries must expand collections to address new research areas, impacting budgets and necessitating a deeper understanding of the collections. There is also a need to build services, instructional programs, and other types of support to facilitate access and understanding for our users.
Collaboration
Because the community defines the WashU Libraries, it is important to be a collaborative, connected organization. The Libraries will work to build connections and be truly collaborative at three different levels: internal, campus-wide, and national and international.
Next Steps
The WashU Libraries will begin operationalizing the Strategic Priorities Framework through assessment and project tracking. This will involve defining assessment metrics for the priorities outlined above and developing a central project tracking and management system to foster collaboration across divisions and ensure an effective and transparent process going forward.
