After an 18-month process that entailed gathering and synthesizing information from the Penn community and beyond, the Penn Libraries has released a strategic plan to guide its work through 2025.
“Our extraordinary Penn Libraries are at the heart of our campus mission,” says Provost Wendell Pritchett. “They inspire learning for every member of our community, while facilitating research and scholarship that change the world. This rigorous strategic plan, developed with extensive input across our campus, will help us redefine library services to meet the evolving needs of the Penn community, especially in response to the many changes of this year and the years ahead.”
Through vision and mission statements, shared organizational values, and four core strategic priorities, the plan aligns the Libraries’ work with the Penn Compact 2022 pillars of inclusion, innovation, and impact, and the University’s goal of advancing knowledge for good.
“Our strategic priorities are the compass for navigating our future,” says Constantia Constantinou, the H. Carton Rogers III Vice Provost and Director of the Penn Libraries. “With the plan in place, we will continue and expand the work we do with our campus partners and our wider communities to inspire staff and patrons, and provide the tools and resources they need to thrive.”
Along with many institutions, in Spring 2020 the Libraries pivoted to provide services and resources in a largely virtual environment, due to safety measures put in place during the pandemic. The Libraries’ leadership and staff took action to address the very real and urgent need to increase acquisition and delivery of digital content, applying creative solutions and accelerating strategic investments in technology. They also emphasized expert, personalized virtual support from librarians, from live chat services to videoconference consultations.
“Yes, the world has changed since we began writing this plan,” Constantinou says. “But we are committed to providing a personal touch and delivering collections, services, and expertise at point of need, anytime, anywhere. We are also committed to creating a living and learning environment that is truly transformative, safe, and welcoming for all. As the world turns, we remain agile, responsive, and resilient.”
Read more at Penn Libraries.
