The University Libraries look to impact the broader campus community in year three of Catalyst, the organization’s yearly approach to strategic planning. Anchored by three goals focusing on community, services, and partnerships, Catalyst drives meaningful change by creating a yearly opportunity to examine the needs of staff, students, and the campus community, then craft initiatives that address pressing topics and align with university priorities.

“One of the exciting elements of Catalyst is that we revisit our priorities each year,” said Jerome Conley, Dean and University Librarian. “Each year encompasses a certain theme, and this year it’s collaboration.”

Librarians and staff are collaborating on five different projects this year. By the end of the year, the Libraries will have partnered with the Office of the Provost to create a resident librarian position for the Heanon Wilkins Faculty Fellows program, developed a recruitment plan to attract diverse talent, and drafted a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plan specific to the Libraries. King Library will continue to evolve to meet the community's needs through infrastructure improvements, including renovating the Inez Kamm Instruction Room and Center for Information Management spaces. Additionally, partnerships continue to remain a focus for the Libraries, this year with an emphasis on pursuing external grants to support research and scholarship.

STRATEGIC GOALS

• • Develop talent, resources, and experiences that facilitate an inclusive community.
  • Pipeline of Inclusive Talent

    Develop and implement a recruitment plan and build marketing tools to attract skilled and diverse talent.

    Heanon Wilkins Faculty Fellow

    Launch a residency program for the Libraries in coordination with Miami University’s Heanon Wilkins Faculty Fellows program through the Office of the Provost and the ACRL Diversity Alliance.

    DEI Strategic Plan

    Write and begin to implement a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plan for the Libraries.

• • Transform the Libraries’ environment and user-centered experience to anticipate evolving modes of learning.
  • Infrastructure Improvements

    Implement change to continue to make King Library a first-class space that supports student learning and success, attracts the best staff, and fosters collaboration.

• • Forge meaningful partnerships that foster affordability, ensure relevancy, and cultivate life-long connections.
  • External Funding

    Increase external funding by 10% by engaging with partners such as ASPIRE, the Office of Research and Innovation, and University Advancement.

“Our strategic plan is inclusive by design,” said Conley. “This year, we will focus on how our efforts can have an impact with individuals and departments across campus.”

At the heart of Catalyst are dedicated staff and librarians serving in workgroups. Representing all departments and staff classifications within the Libraries, these collaborative groups enable a focus on library-wide efforts rather than departmental functions. Continuing from a process started last year, teams also consider how their work can align with MiamiRISE and support diversity, equity, and inclusion principles within their work.

A detailed breakdown of the plan and the Libraries’ mission, vision, and values can be found at Lib.MiamiOH.edu/Strategic.

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