As we progress towards 2025, we have developed a new vision to be a library that sits at the heart of Lancaster University’s community, local and global. Our vision outlines the sort of library we will be by 2025, how we will behave, what actions we will take and what we will achieve. It lays out our ambition to be a library that is connected, to go beyond providing just a service and a building and to work in partnership with all Lancaster University communities. This vision is ambitious and will help to redefine the purpose of a university library – ensuring we provide a library for Lancaster University.
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The Library Towards 2025
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A Library at the heart of Lancaster University’s community, local and global. We connect, we innovate, we include.
Tab Content: Digital Physical
The kind of library we will be
We will position the library where there is no separation between digital and physical, inhabiting and engaging across both spaces.
Our behaviours, we will:
- be digital leaders and take a digital first approach to all we do
- provide digital and physical services and resources that extend to all our users
- be creative in using our physical spaces
- move from curating content to creating dynamic collections.
Our actions, we will:
- establish a fully digital library that encompasses all our resources, spaces services and talents
- actively manage and adapt our physical spaces, changing throughout the year, hosting activities and events and engaging in ways not usually associated with libraries
- focus our attention on digital resources, archives and research collections, continuing to move away from a dependency on print.
What we will achieve
Through embracing digital, we will do more with the physical space, break down barriers and open up our services and resources to local and global communities.
Tab Content: Connected Connector
The kind of library we will be
We will be a thriving, dynamic and people-focused library that brings our communities together to co-curate, co-create and share knowledge that leads to greater understanding, insight and innovation.
Our behaviours, we will:
- invest in relationships with our communities
- engage and collaborate with our diverse communities
- share knowledge openly and freely.
Our actions, we will:
- create inclusive environments and experiences that bring people together
- become an interdisciplinary incubator, building communities of knowledge and practice
- purposefully connect and collaborate with strategic partners
- inspire people from all backgrounds to engage with our collections and contribute to our research.
What we will achieve
We will be a library that is at the heart of the whole community.
Tab Content: Equality Diversity Inclusivity
The kind of library we will be
We will represent all the diverse communities that make up our University. We will provide an inclusive, supportive and safe environment where everyone belongs and can contribute to our distinctiveness.
Our behaviours, we will:
- value the diverse backgrounds and talents of our staff and communities
- lead and champion activities that promote and celebrate openness and inclusivity
- listen and empower others to have a voice
- be transparent and accountable in our decision making.
Our actions, we will:
- create opportunities and encourage our staff to thrive and develop
- establish, lead, connect and work with networks that promote EDI
- take the lead for the University in providing open resources and open research
- build the confidence of our community and demystify the university and the academic world
- provide environments where people have a sense of belonging
- provide students with opportunities to work with the library and have a central role in its development.
What we will achieve
We will have a library culture that embraces and celebrates diversity.
Tab Content: Innovative Sustainable
The kind of library we will be
Through disruptive innovation,we will bring lasting change, both within the University and the library sector. We’ll be active in areas that are not traditionally seen as library business.
Our behaviours, we will:
- act as a catalyst for initiatives across the University
- be creative in our approach and won't be afraid to challenge orthodoxies or established thinking
- focus on high impact activities that are sustainable.
Our actions, we will:
- critically appraise our services and take innovative approaches to increase their value and impact
- seek out opportunities and partner with others to meet challenges beyond the library
- tackle wicked problems head on
- establish a culture where staff try new things, take risks and work outside of established areas of activity.
What we will achieve
Through innovation we will grow and evolve, extending the reach and impact of the library, enhancing its reputation and that of the University.
Tab Content: Local Global
The kind of library we will be
We will think and act in a global context and engage at a local level to maximise the reach and impact of the Library.
Our behaviours, we will:
- seize opportunities to connect at local, national and international levels
- value and promote our local environment
- take a global perspective to inform our planning and behaviours.
Our actions, we will:
- build partnerships with local communities, schools, colleges, businesses and organisations
- develop extended communities and services
- establish the library as a leading partner in global initiatives
- provide an integrated library offer that spans all our campuses and partner institutions.
What we will achieve
We will be a truly global university library, recognised both locally and internationally for our contributions and partnerships.
Vision Outcomes
To achieve our vision for 2025, we've outlined 29 Vision Outcomes which our library will work towards. Our vision outcomes encompass all aspects of Library and Learning Development activity, articulating how we will address each of the themes in our five-year vision. View our Vision Outcomes (PDF).
Achieving our vision
Examples of how we are addressing the themes within our vision and our future plans.
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