Future-Focused Academic Planning

Susan Senese, MLSAssociate LibrarianResearch & Information Technology,University of Toronto Mississauga LibrarySusan.senese@utoronto.c

Rebecca Jones, MLSDysart & Jones Associatesrebecca@dysartjones.comwww.dysartjones.com

Our base assumptions

Libraries’ future is not informed by other libraries. A Library’s future must be to ensure the success of organization in which it exists – university, community, government or corporation.

Our focus must be on the indicators & developments influencing the organization’s future.

And then we can design our future.

Planning success factors

Clarity

Preparation

CompetenceBalance

Follow-thru

UTML was ready• Ready to focus on the future, together,

collaboratively, making tough decisions

• Dovetailed with Dean’s announced Academic Planning

Staff Input

Staff Engage

d

Staff Directed

Assess Readiness

• Organizational Culture & Context• Size – 40 staff• Trust – two types of trust • Good Will

Culture of Learning• LDC

Culture of Planning,• Annual Goals & Objectives

Culture of Participation• Past Retreats• Staff Forums• Experiential Learning through LDC

Staff-Directed: Benefits• Capacity-building – Developing leaders

throughout organization• Ownership – process, outcomes• Oneness – esprit-de-corps with planning teams• Insight &empathy• No sitting on the sidelines• Experiential learning• Letting go….leads to trust

Staff-Directed – Risks• Can go awry if structure is not moderated • Potential for weak volunteers/weak teams• Accurate assessment of organizational readiness• Leadership unable to “let go”• Poor communication• Time and resource-intensive

Futures Ready

Futures Planning

Refine to Impleme

nt

Scan, Discover, Discuss

April – Sept Sept - Dec Jan - April

Build Planning Muscle

Assess Context

Envision & Draft

Test with Stakeholder

s

Finalize

Develop Annual Goals

& Tactics

Phase 1: “Futures Ready”

• Building the planning muscle• Staff Lead Program – April -Sept

▫Consistent branding of the Program▫Group screening of TED Talks▫Panel Discussions

Grad Students Campus Leaders Professors

▫Classroom Instructor Lead Learning Critical Thinking

http://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_mcafee_are_droids_taking_our_jobs.html

Phase 2: “Futures Planning”

• Planning to Plan ▫Rules of Engagement:

Clear Objectives Clearly Articulated Program Full developed Schedule

▫Coordinating Team▫Communications Plan▫Communications Vehicle –

Blackboard LMS▫Link to Senior Leadership▫External experienced facilitator

Future? Explore, Discover & Discuss

•Exploration Groups:▫6-8 members

mix of functions, roles & experiences

▫Set out to discover & discuss trends, issues & indicators in: teaching, learning,

economic/political scene, technology, content, global education & academic research

SoWOT?

What does “this” mean for the Library? What will be

happening in learning in 5 years?

Technology?

The economy?

Academic Research?

First of 2 all staff discussions

Envisioning the Future People Want

•Pre-work for all•A draft for reaction & refinement•“Stand in that Future”

Our Future?

What will the Library “look” like, from all vantage points, in 2016?

How are we working with students? Where?

How are we making a difference?

What are staff doing?

What aren’t we doing?

Second of 2 all staff discussions

Watchpoints• Need structures to support – role of consultant• Ongoing communication – multiple channels• Meeting preparation• Requires time and effort• Disconnects and misses

Thank you!

Let us know how you are doing!

Susan & Rebecca