Strategic Plans

The six goals articulated in this report are intended to reflect the unique mission of the Library that serves the students, faculty and staff of a comprehensive university and an 1890 Land Grant institution within and beyond the boundaries of the campus.  The Library supports the institutions baccalaureate, masters and doctoral level programs. These plans were formulated with input from the Strategic Planning Committee, Library faculty and staff.

Mission

The mission of the Tennessee State University Librariens is to support the University's mission as the urban, comprehensive Land Grant institution by providing excellent resources and service that enhance teaching , learning and research, by focusing on our users, and by developing excellent staff.

Vision

The TSU Libraries will strive to be a preeminent university library known for the depth and breadth of its collection and quality service to the users. The Libraries will be the gateway to scholarly information, research and instruction  developed by input from all members of the campus community.   

Values

As the faculty and staff of the Tennessee State University Libraries, we will be guided by the following values in providing library resources and services to the Tennessee State University and the community at large: 

  • Service- we provide quality service to our users by providing access to relevant and well-organized collections; excellent bibliographic instruction; and professional conduct 
  • Respect- we treat our users with respect at all times, we are always fair to our co-workers and colleagues and we build and environment of teamwork and comraderie 
  • Collaboration- we collaborate with our colleagues across departments and seek partnerships with faculty in teaching and learning
  • Diversity- We recognize and respect diversity in the Library users and staff
  • Communication- We encourage communication by exchange of information and open and frank discussions
  • Authority and Accountability- We believe in affording the staff the opportunity to make decisions concerning their daily work tasks and  at the same time expect them to adhere to the Library and University policies and practices and by setting high work performance
  • Ethics- We accept the principles of the American Library Association Code of Ethics during our daily work, in interactions with our users and colleagues and comply with all laws that cover copyright, licensing and user record issues
  • Professional Growth- We aim for excellence in our profession and foster professional growth of our co-workers

Goals

The six goals articulated in this report are intended to reflect the unique mission of the Library that serves the students, faculty and staff of a comprehensive university and an 1890 Land Grant institution within and beyond the boundaries of the campus.  The Library supports the institutions baccalaureate, masters and doctoral level programs.     

Goal I --  Enhancing the Academic Programs

  • To develop, maintain and promote collections of resources in all types of  formats to meet the changing information needs of the users and to support the learning, teaching and research needs of students, faculty and staff.
    • By working closely with the University Administration to provide adequate financial support for the growth of  library resources, including print, electronic and microform formats
    • By obtaining federal funds to supplement the state monies topurchase library resources and services
    • By effectively partnering with other libraries to expand information services and resources sharing
  • To effectively partner with faculty to develop the Library resources and services of the traditional and/or online courses whenever possible and provide access to those resources and services on the Librarys webpage
  • To provide access to a wide variety of print and non-print materials via acquisitions, interlibrary loan, internet and other means
  • To continue with and expand the Library digital projects to provide additional information on the web
  • To provide information services, including  timely document deliveries in support of on and off campus programs
  • To continually seek innovative library organizational structures that provide opportunities to render quality services to the users and enhance advances in library and information technologies via research and consultant services

Goal II -- Developing Library Technologies to support teaching, learning and research

  • To provide and maintain seamless access to electronic resources

    • By developing information systems to address the needs of students, faculty and staff
    • By planning for the expansion and integration of librarytechnologies and services including the expansion of the librarys research repository, E-Research@Tennessee State university
  • To continue to seek diverse funding from state, federal and Technology Access Funds
  • To increase the number of PCs for student use via additional or expanded computer labs in the Libraries and installing PCsfor handicapped users
  • To improve  licensing and contractual processes via cooperation with sister institutions to share existing licenses and contracts and work with the University Administration to improve licensing and contractual processes to take advantage of special pricing by thevendors
  • To expand  digital library operations and services via continuing the selectionand digitization ofarchival and rare resources, training and state-of-the-art computer hardware and software for access on the Web

Goal III -- Focusing On the Library User 

  • To anticipate and respond to our users changing needs: 
    • By recognizing the needs of diverse student body andfaculty, including multicultural students, non-traditional and part-time students, online degree program students located on campus and/or at remote sites so that library
    • By providing focused and personalized assistance toour users in learning new library and information technologies, including the formation of the Embedded Librarian Program for all types of courses
    • By providing adequate hours of service during the regular semesters and exam  periods
    • By continuous improvement in providing information resources in all formats so that the users have fast and easy access to in-house and remote electronic resources and other library services
    • By participating with the federal, state and local agencies and consortia in meeting the needs of the larger community, including the Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL).
    • By encouraging the use of online Ask a Librarian  reference service where librarians can communicate with the users via e-mail or chat mode at specific times 
    • By communicating with the students via myTSU, faculty and staff via Exchange ServerLists
  •  To cultivate user self-sufficiency

    • By developing an online Information Literacy course
    • By creating pathfinders, e.g. Information Centers where users can receive directions and instructions in utilizing the librarys print and electronic resources
    • By initiating an Information Consultation Service equipped with five PCs dedicated for one-on-one training of users in the use of electronic resources and library services
    • By continuing to provide  Electronic Reserves service where faculty can create course pages via articles from e-journals, websites, faxed documents, computer files, etc. to their online course reserves site which can be password protected
    • By providing quality self-guided online and/or in class Library and Information Orientation Programs for students and faculty
    • By enhancing the Librarys computer software, hardware and other services oriented capabilities .
    • By delivering quality user-oriented services that respond to the changing needs of theLibrarys diverse users

Goal IV -- Securing financial support for print and non-print library materials,  including electronic resources, library technology and equipment, services and space needs

  • To ensure an adequate budget to maintain quality library resources and services, library technology, including software and hardware, and astrong program of collection development that includes all formats
  • To provide for the continued renovation of the Main Campus and  Avon Williams Campus Libraries and Media Centers, including the serious space needs of both, and replacement of furniture, equipment, carpeting and lighting, including staff area
  • To actively solicit grant funds to support the Librarys digital projects and technological needs

Goal V -- Developing an excellent staff to provide quality library services

  • To provide professional development through increased participation in conferences and professional organizations, and through implementation of sabbaticals or other opportunities to engage in professional research and study
  • To provide appropriate opportunities, including workshops, conferences and courses for advancement in rank and pay
  • To create an environment that fosters collaboration and communication among staff at all levels, and provide opportunities for ownership, empowerment and accountability
  • To recognize accomplishments via verbal and written formats

Goal VI -- Remembering Our Mission and Goals by recognizing the importance of the 1890 Land-Grant heritage and the responsibilities of a comprehensive urban university library not only as a depository for research but also as a facility to educate and inspire students in understanding the historic and current role of Tennessee State University

  • To provide urgently needed space for and preservation of the historical resources of Tennessee State University, Nashville and Black history in Tennessee 
  • To increase the interpretive role of Special Collections through exhibits, greater participation in campus events, special publications, including the digital collections and sponsored lectures 
  • To continue to utilize electronic technology, including imaging techniques to help preserve and make available special collections materials
  • To participate in the Universitys Service learning Program and contribute to the Engaged University processes





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