To ensure that our planning efforts and new directions in library services are on target, we have met with a large number of major stakeholders throughout our strategic planning process. These meetings have helped to further identify where improvements are needed. We chose this theme to emphasize our over-arching goal of actively working to foster an open environment receptive to user input. We will also intensify our endeavors to engage in mutually beneficial partnerships and collaborative activities throughout the campus in support of the University's mission. We also seek to strengthen our collections.
Core collections are a priority.
A core collection of books, journals and multimedia materials is a prerequisite for the wide range of assignments and senior research projects that depend on the Library for timely access to the most current information resources. Economic constraints continue to bear heavily on the University and the Library. We cannot ignore the continuing decline in state assistance. While funding sources continue to be squeezed, the cost components of higher education, and of libraries in particular, have risen at a rate higher than any of the standard cost of living indices . As part of our strategic planning, the Library will redouble its efforts to obtain extramural funding through grants and various University donor-based programs.