Libraries' Strategic Plan: Catalyst | AY 22-23 Strategic Plan

The strategic plan progress dashboard is maintained monthly.  It is a visual representation of how each workgroup is progressing.  

Overall Progress represents the cumulative progress for every action on the strategic plan.

Goal Progress represents the progress for all aspects of that goal.

Initiative Progress represents the progress for all aspects of that initiative.  Goal 2 and Infrastructure Improvements will show the same progress, as well Goal 3 and External Funding, as there is one initiative for both Goal 2 and Goal 3.

Each initiative is broken into objectives, or smaller tasks, to help achieve the initiative. Objective Progress (found in the Dashboard document, not pictured below) represents the progress for all tasks within an initiative objective. 

AY23 Catalyst Progress Dashboard

Catalyst progress as of January 31

On June 29, we had our final Catalyst Business Review for 2023!  We hold quarterly Business Reviews to share updates on how the strategic plan is progressing for the year, providing both accountability and transparency. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend!  I hope you found our time together valuable.

As this was our last business review of the year, the primary focus was discussing what was accomplished over the past year.  Initiative workgroups shared final products and/or plans for how they will wrap up their initiatives.

Pipeline of Inclusive Talent - 

• Created best practices for more inclusive job advertisements and hiring process.  Here is a rough draft of the document, which will be reviewed after the current legislative session is finished and then implemented in AY24.
• Additionally, this group is in the process of creating marketing materials to encourage candidates to apply for positions at Miami Libraries.  The materials will be videos of teams within the Libraries that introduce the teams, projects they are working on, and allow current team members to share their experiences working at the Libraries.  Creation of these videos and the website they will be hosted on will continue through the summer.

Heanon Wilkins Fellow - 

• Fostered a relationship with the Office of the Provost to bring the Heanon Wilkins Fellows Program to the Libraries.
• Developed the program foundations for the Heanon Wilkins Fellowship program within the Libraries.  The procedures for the program are documented in this Heanon Wilkins Fellow/Visiting Librarian Program Implementation Guide.
• Hopefully, we’ll be able to conduct the search again this upcoming year for a candidate starting in the 2024/2025 Academic Year.

Libraries' Commitment to Inclusive Excellence - 

• Drafted a Diversity Statement for the Libraries.
• Developed the Libraries’ Commitment to Inclusive Excellence, which includes a series of recommendations to continue to make the Libraries a welcoming, accessible, and accommodating place for all individuals.
• The plan will be implemented in the upcoming year and has a dedicated team to ensure completion.

Infrastructure Improvements - 

• Completely re-designed the CIM Lab from concept to construction drawings.  The new space includes an open lounge/study area, a breakout space, a conference room, and a 24-seat classroom.
• The floor plan and drawings can be found here.

External Funding - 

• Solidified the charge provided and came up with actionable steps for how to support staff in pursuing grant and external funding opportunities.
• The work established this year will continue in Catalyst ‘24.  Among several final products, this initiative workgroup will create a resource guide outlining the process of applying for external grants.

Here are the various resources from the meeting:

• Business Review Slides
• Business Review Video Recording

Here are the final outcomes from this year’s iteration of Catalyst:

• Inclusive Hiring Best Practices (draft)
• Heanon Wilkins Fellow/Visiting Librarian Program Implementation Guide
• Diversity Statement for the Libraries, also on the DEI LibGuide
• Libraries' Commitment to Inclusive Excellence (unformatted)
• Floorplan and drawings of the new Kamm Instructional Space

As Catalyst ‘23 comes to a close, I would like to thank all of those that were involved in an initiative workgroup.  We could not have done this work without YOU!
 

Proposed initiatives for Catalyst '24 were shared during staff feedback sessions in June.  The goals of the sessions were to allow Libraries staff to:

• Hear about the proposed initiatives
• Provide feedback and input
• Ask questions
• Make space for anything else you'd like to know about Catalyst

If you were unable to attend a session, you can find the handout and items discussed here.
Additionally, you can always reach out to Elizabeth Kerr to schedule a meeting to discuss anything related to Catalyst.

Staff were invited to give their input on Catalyst '24 during the week of May 15.  During structured sessions, team members prioritized broad topics and brainstormed ideas for initiatives. 

Thank you to the staff who joined and provided your input!  We will take your ideas and priorities into consideration as we draft initiatives for Catalyst '24.

As always, please reach out to Elizabeth Kerr if you have any questions, ideas, or input.

The second Business Review for Catalyst was held Tuesday, March 7.  Workgroups shared updates, we discussed what was needed to finish the year strong, and participants were encouraged to consider if current initiatives had any potential to transform into a new initiative in AY24.  A few key takeaways came from the meeting:

• Our staff embodies the Libraries’ mission, vision, and values - consistent messaging has supported a common framework for which we can communicate.
• Catalyst is a nimble approach to strategic planning, which is evidenced not only through the yearly cycle but also through the ways in which initiative workgroups are adapting to meet challenges, shifting priorities, and new opportunities in real time.
• Each workgroup is making progress!  Teams are collaborating to keep their initiatives moving forward.

Resources from the meeting can be found below and also on the Catalyst LibGuide:

• Business Review Slides
• Business Review Video Recording

Links and resources related to Catalyst:

• Catalyst Website
• Catalyst LibGuide
• Progress Dashboard
• AY23 Timeline

Resources:

• Business Review Slides
• Business Review Video Recording
• Heanon Wilkins Fellow Posting

Links and resources related to Catalyst:

• Catalyst Website
• Catalyst LibGuide
• Progress Dashboard
• Launch News Story
• AY23 Timeline

Top Takeaways:

• Each workgroup has a clear end goal and teams are taking steps to accomplish this goal by year-end.
• The impact of this year’s initiatives may take time to be realized.  For example, the Pipeline of Inclusive Talent workgroup is creating marketing materials this year, but the materials created will not be used until next year (and beyond).  I will be working with each initiative workgroup in the spring to identify indicators of success.
• Timelines are on each group’s mind!  There are about five months remaining before we begin to wrap up Catalyst ‘23.  Initiative workgroups are pacing themselves and aiming to have finished products by June.
• Much of the work we are doing is leading the way for academic libraries!  Several initiative workgroups conducted research on peer and aspirational institutions and did not find examples of the finished products we are aiming for, but interest in these products exists.  We have the potential to create an impact in academic libraries beyond Miami!

Resources:

• Presentation Slides
• Presentation Video Recording
• MUL Strategic Plan Shared Drive > AY2022-2023 Folder
• Commitment Guidelines
• Action Plan folder
• Catalyst AY23 Timeline

Top Takeaways:

• The three goals remain the same
• Five NEW initiatives: 1) Pipeline of Inclusive Talent, 2) Heanon Wilkins Faculty Fellow, 3) DEI Strategic Plan, 4) Infrastructure Improvements, and 5) External Funding
• This year we are engaging with the broader campus community and collaborating with partners in our initiatives
• The two roles this year are facilitator and workgroup member.  Staff from all departments and classifications are involved in the plan.
• Timeline runs from now (September) through June
• THANK YOU! This work would not be possible without YOU!

Provide anonymous feedback here at any time.

You can also reach out to Elizabeth Kerr with questions, comments, or concerns.