ULS Universe

CALL FOR PAPERS

The Research and Statistics Committee of the Reference Services Section of RUSA
invites the submission of research projects for presentation at the 15th
Reference Research Forum at the 2009 American Library Association Annual
Conference in Chicago, IL.

The Reference Research Forum continues to be one of the most popular and
valuable programs during the ALA Annual Conference, where attendees can learn
about notable research projects conducted in the broad area of reference
services such as user behavior, electronic services, reference effectiveness,
and organizational structure and personnel. All researchers, including
reference practitioners from all types of libraries, library school faculty and
students, and other interested individuals, are encouraged to submit a
proposal.

For examples of projects presented at past Forums, please see the Committee’s
website: http://tinyurl.com/rssresearch
 
The Committee employs a “blind” review process to select two projects for 25
minute presentations, followed by open discussion. Winning submissions must be
presented in person at the Forum in Chicago.

Criteria for selection:

• Quality and creativity of the research design and methodologies;

• Significance of the study for improving the quality of reference service;

• Potential for research to fill a gap in reference knowledge or to build on
   previous studies;

• Research projects may be in-progress or completed;

• Previously published research or research accepted for publication will not
   be accepted

Proposals are due by Monday, January 5, 2009. Notification of acceptance will
be made by Friday, March 20, 2009. The submission must not exceed two pages.
Please include:
 

1. A cover sheet including your name(s), title(s), institutional
    affiliation(s), mailing address(es), fax number(s) and email address(es).

 
2. The second page should NOT show your name, any personal information, or the
    name of your institution. Instead, it must include:

a. Title of the project;

b. Explicit statement of the research problem;

c. Description of the research design and methodologies used;

d. Brief discussion of the unique contribution, potential impact, and
    significance of the research.

 
Please send submissions by email to:

 
Liane Luckman
Chair, RUSA RSS Research and Statistics Committee
312.745.3858 (phone)
liane.luckman@gmail.com

Colleagues, I fully expect many to disagree with this post! Nevertheless, I wanted to share that in my experience do-it-yourself strategic planning works well in libraries and library organizations.

My first full-fledged strategic planning was done as Vice President/President-Elect of the Illinois Chapter of the Special Libraries Association/SLA, in the late 1990s. Our Board, and some invited others, created the strategic plan out of brainstorming sessions. The process was engaging, and the plan was helpful, we actually did much of it!

Most recently, at USC we completed our strategic plan, The Essential Library, in January 2008, with the official launch and publication in April 2008. The plan is available online here: http://www.usc.edu/libraries/essential/index.php .

Back in 2002-03, when the USC Libraries organization was linked with IT Services, a strategic plan for the dual organization was organized by the Academic Senate, with some librarians and library personnel on some of the groups. But it was very much faculty driven, and, while it gave us some pathways for development, in my opinion it was both technology-heavy and teaching-faculty-leaning.

The Essential Library we did ourselves – our Dean Catherine Quinlan convened a committee of librarians and library staff, by invitation, but only if members really wanted to serve (no arm-twisting involved!). A veteran of strat planning, our Dean guided us in the process, but the content was entirely developed by the committee AND everyone in the libraries – we held a number of public fora (aka forums!) and brainstormed and prioritized our top issues (which all turned out to be foundational changes needed). The engagement and participation of people across the libraries system was excellent! We are now beginning to implement these changes, and will continue to do so over the next 12-18 months. We are doing it! We will also soon be embarking upon planning for the next plan.

I have heard both positive and negative stories about plans developed with the aid of outside facilitators. Having never experienced that, but having been part of two in-house, if you will, strategic planning processes, I definitely favor DIY!

Looking forward to hearing others thoughts!

Sara T., a newly minted Associate Dean, who will be posting here occasionally, thanks to my colleague Felicia’s encouratement!

The ACRL University Library Section 2009 Nominating Committee is pleased to put forth a call for nominations for ULS Executive Committee vacancies to the ULS membership. We are calling for nominations for the following offices.

ULS Chair Elect/Vice Chair

ULS Secretary

2 ULS member-at-large positions

If you would like to put someone forth for nomination or be please sent the name and contact information to the Chair of the Nominating Committee, Cheryl Middleton. The ACRL-ULS nominating committee will meet virtually to determine the slate of candidats to be considered for office for ACRL by September 12, 2008.