Growth
DIGITAL
With so many libraries still making that leap into the digital age, I want to be there helping push that forward. The web is a resource that you can no longer separate from services offered in any library, not to mention academic libraries. Technology is changing at a rate faster than before, with new software and hardware constantly appearing and changing the field. I make it my goal in any institution to stay on top of trends and be able to evaluate what actually holds up to claims. Doing this all the while keeping in mind budgetary restrictions and what serves as a good "fit" to the community and institution we are serving. What may do good in one system, may crash and burn in another and the demographic of the patrons must always be kept in mind.
PHYSICAL
While the digital era is upon us, physical resources will always be a present need, particularly when "picking up" an e-book is far more difficult for still a larger percentage of students. Physical collections must be kept up to date. Not only do books need to be regularly weeded, replacements need to be added as seen fit and additional collections be acquired based on student and faculty need. Upon realizing the physical collection at my current institution had been ignored for an unknown but unacceptable amount of years I took it upon myself to cull a considerable number of books, including those with outdated media such as 3 1/2 floppies. I then made it my mission to seek the holes in the sections. I edit and fill them with new and necessary up to date books, that are on the same educational levels as our student population. Acquiring books that are intended for graduate level students will not be a beneficial use of our budget; and acquiring books too below our level will not be either. It is a case of Goldilocks, you have to be able to find the books just right for the student population that will lead them in the best ways possible to success. It has been and will continue to be one of my goals to ensure that our physical collections fit our patrons and the needs of our instructors.
FACULTY
Often times your biggest ally in an institution is the hardest to reach. It has been my goal and always will be to connect with instructors teaching all courses. Library systems hold resources that can aide instructors to push their students further, to assist those who are dragging behind, and to stop plagiarism in its tracks. With strong bonds to tie the library to the faculty, the students benefit making the campus a cohesive unit.
STUDENTS
It is very important that the proper atmosphere is kept for students in academia, to show that we are there to help them succeed. Be it through supplying study rooms, after hour tutoring, and providing top notch assistance from staff, circulation and reference librarians, it is important we strive to do this.
DONORS
It is important for libraries to make connections in the community beyond the campus. It is through strengthening the bonds with those in the community who have the means and the intent to support education, a library can remain strong and relevant in times of economic hardship. It is successful librarian donor relationships that help both the community and the institution to expand and grow.