Building New Futures for Research Libraries

Abstract

Over the past six years, the Association of Research Libraries Office of Management Services (OMS) has worked with over 20 libraries to assist in the development of strategic plans. These efforts mark a change in the attitude of academic and research libraries towards their environment. This article will review key strategic planning concepts and outline the program developed by OMS to introduce strategic planning into academic and research libraries. A critical tool used in the process, the design of a preferred future for the library, will be highlighted.