ASERL’s Draft 2010 – 2013 Strategic Plan Member Input & Suggestions

Proposed Mission Statement The Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL) advances the educational and research success of students and faculty at member institutions by sharing information and technology resources, expertise, and best practices. ASERL promotes library excellence at member institutions by supporting research- quality resources and services and by sustainable partnerships that invigorate the academic mission of our individual members and the larger community.

Proposed Vision Statement The Association of Southeastern Research libraries (ASERL) is a highly dynamic consortium serving the needs of its members. We operate in an environment characterized by rapid change, opportunity, and challenge. The enterprise of higher education continues to present ever-greater demands for cost efficiency and effectiveness within higher education as a whole, and creates widespread expectations among our users for anytime-anywhere access to content and services. The vision for ASERL is derived from the collective view of the future held by our members; that vision may be modified as our collective view of the future evolves. The realization of our vision hinges on the contribution of member institutions to the initiatives, momentum, and spirit of the consortium commensurate with the benefits received. ASERL’s membership holds a common belief that there is strength in unity and that unity can accommodate distinctive institutional characteristics. The membership further believes that member institutions will be better able to fulfill their missions as a result of collaborative programs, and the benefits of consortial action can be greater than those provided by the same institutions acting independently.

Proposed Strategic Plan - 1 ASERL libraries operate in an environment characterized by rapid change, opportunity, and challenge, including greater demands for cost efficiency and effectiveness and widespread expectations among users for anytime- anywhere access to content and services. In this environment, ASERL members find there are two primary roles by which ASERL can benefit its members: Informational – to keep members up-to-date on emerging trends and issues, and lead discussions amongst members regarding possible collaborative responses. Programmatic – to provide programs that meet common operational needs.

Proposed Strategic Plan - 2 Priority areas and activities To support common needs among member libraries, the Association will: Continue to provide opportunities for members to share expertise and learn about emerging issues and trends; Foster new, deep, long-lasting collaborative partnerships amongst members and other organizations to enable greater value to membership in ASERL and support members’ long-term needs;

Proposed Strategic Plan - 3 Leverage our combined strengths to develop programs and services that meet common needs while reducing duplication of effort, individual risk, and overhead costs, including: –expanded resource sharing services; –educational opportunities for librarians, paraprofessionals, library directors, and others; –connecting strong, cohesive, and well-developed collections of materials; –sharing data about library operations, goals, and activities.

Proposed Strategic Plan - 4 Selectively support research on library subjects and model programs that can be adapted to the circumstances of individual members as well as to ASERL as a whole; Create additional opportunities to identify and promote new leadership within the profession; Ensure ASERL’s ongoing organizational strength and member satisfaction.

Small Group Discussions What do you like / dislike about the Mission Statement? Vision Statement? Priority Activities? Which of ASERL’s Priority Activities are highest priority for you? (rank) Are there any new activities you’d like to add? Which activities would you eliminate if that became necessary?

Small Group Discussions What “deep collaboration” activities are of greatest interest? Draft a simple timetable for development of each. What other programs/services are of most interest? (e.g., expanded resource sharing, training, collaborative collection mgt, others?). Draft a simple timetable for each.