4. Objectives, issues, and key strategic initiatives 2007-2009

Key Area 5: Quality management

Objective: Ensure that the Library meets or exceeds the requirements and standards of best practice in the Australian academic library sector.

Ongoing Activities:

To lead and support the creative management of the university’s scholarly information;
To provide a planning and continuing improvement framework for activities and services;
To provide an energised, innovative work environment;
To manage resources in a cost-effective manner;
To continue to improve Library marketing and communications programs;
To provide an effective staff performance and development program.

Issues: The Library is committed to employing and developing high quality staff to ensure excellent service standards. Staff require a structured, ongoing program of professional development, in addition to opportunities to contribute throughout the Library and participate in innovative projects and working groups.

Librarians need to be well versed in current learning styles and to possess the requisite teaching skills to impart information and to develop, facilitate and lead library skills classes.

Information and communications technology (ICT) is profoundly embedded in the Library’s activities and services. Understanding and managing ICT creatively and well are and will continue to be major tasks.

The Library needs to understand the changing policy, regulatory and financial environment in which it and the university exist, and to manage accordingly.

The Library has a commitment to working within a marketing framework in order to best meet its clients’ needs. This entails regular surveying, targeted communication and responsive planning. The Library has improved its performance in these areas through the appointment of professional communications and marketing staff.

Key Strategic Initiatives

Strategies	Actions	Measures/Targets/KPIs	Responsibility
5.1 Contribute to planning and quality activities.	Act on any feedback from the 2006 AUQA review.	Feedback noted, actions taken, evaluated and reported upon.	University Librarian; Directors; Library Planning Executive.
	Maintain, implement and review the Library risk profile and legal compliance risk register.	Library risk profile and legal compliance risk register reviewed.	Library Budget Manager.
	Continue to communicate with faculties to ensure that Service Levels meet or exceed expectations. Ensure that current SLAs are in place.	Current SLAs in place and KPIs met or exceeded.	Directors; Library Planning Executive.
	Ensure that all new initiatives are subjected to the university’s approved project planning methodologies (Thomsett).	New projects are documented and managed according to Thomsett project planning methodology.	Directors.
	Provide training for appropriate staff in the approved project planning methodologies.	Training provided.	Directors.
5.2 Undertake benchmarking to reach best practice standards.	Respond to the 2006 Staff Survey.	Agreed actions implemented.	Directors; Senior Staff.
	Undertake customer survey in 2007.	Rodski library users’ survey is undertaken and results/analysis delivered within one month of survey completion.	Marketing and Communication Manager; Library Planning Executive.
	Compare targeted areas with similar functions in other organisations.	Benchmarking activities undertaken.	Directors; operational supervisors.
5.3 Improve professional development.	Further engage staff in the performance management process.	Annual performance plans are drawn up for all staff, and regular feedback on performance given to staff by supervisors.	Supervisors.
	Target training and development programs to meet organisational objectives.	Training framework developed. Training and development programs delivered to staff.	Directors; supervisors; HR Manager; Staff Development Officer.
	Implement leadership development programs.	Successful nominations for leadership development programs.	Directors; HR Manager.
	Ensure that all staff are appropriately trained in new technologies.	Training given and new technologies successfully in use by staff.	HR Manager; Staff Development Officer; supervisors.
	Implement appropriate training for staff involved in information literacy programs.	Training implemented and delivered.	Information Literacy Librarian; Staff Development Officer.