A few people have expressed to me their confusion as to what a new direction(s) for the Library might look like.   Is it something specific, or is it broad or theoretical in nature?  Is it something we can achieve in a short period of time, or is it a medium/long range activity?  Well, to be perfectly honest, as a member of the NDCC I have the same kind of confused feelings.    What on earth are we talking about -- new directions!  I have been using the following as guidelines to help me start to think about some possibilities for new directions for the Library (so far not much progress).  These may not work for everyone, but here they are.   Please feel free to discuss, criticize, or add your own ideas.

A new direction should:

- be broad reaching and not a specific project.

- offer new opportunities for staff to develop skills and to continue to contribute to the university in a meaningful way.

- focus library services on new and exciting information opportunities needed by a changing teaching and research community.

- encourage us to question how we currently operate and to think about new and perhaps better approaches.

- cause the library organization to move from a fragmented/niche operation to a community of talented staff eager to work together toward goals that continue to assure us a real impact on the campus community.

- respect the Library's work of the past and its contributions to over 160 years of the university's mission, but at the same time look toward the demands and needs of the 21st century.