ASSOCIATION FOR LIBRARY COLLECTIONS & TECHNICAL SERVICES
STRATEGIC PLAN 2006-2011
Preamble
The ALCTS Strategic Plan 2006-2011 positions the division to advance changing models of the library collections and technical services profession, new roles and skills for library staff, and the evolving nature of the library in the digital environment. The Plan emphasizes collaboration and partnerships; the need to educate, recruit, and retain staff; and a flexible and responsive approach to change.
The plan was adopted by the ALCTS Executive Board in June 2006 in New Orleans and is the culmination of many discussions among ALCTS members and section leaders that began two years before. It will form the basic road map for ALCTS over the next five years.
In the coming months the sections will begin populating the Strategic Plan with tactical initiatives. Additional information about formulating your future in ALCTS based on this new Strategic Plan will be forthcoming.
Vision
The Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS) is the recognized dynamic leader and authority for principles, standards, best practices, continuing education, and new developments in the selection, management, and preservation of all information resources.
Mission
To shape and respond nimbly to all matters related to the selection, identification, acquisition, organization, management, retrieval, and preservation of recorded knowledge through education, publication, and collaboration.
Goals
Goal Area 1. ALCTS provides leadership in the management of information
identifies trends and major issues
responds to changing conditions
provides expert direction in organizing, accessing, and exchanging information
recruits for collections and technical services positions in libraries
communicates with members and external constituencies
advocates for the value and importance of technical services and collections within institutions and the profession
Goal Area 2. ALCTS defines best practices and develops and promotes national and international standards
recommends and participates in the development of standards and best practices
communicates and promotes the application and use of standards and best practices
encourages and recognizes innovation
Goal Area 3. ALCTS provides and facilitates continuing education and fosters life-long learning
monitors needs for continuing education and life-long learning
develops innovative programs and publications that are responsive to the needs of the membership
provides opportunities to exchange information and share experiences
delivers cost-effective programming and publications via a wide range of methods and technologies
collaborates with other organizations to develop and promote continuing education opportunities
Goal Area 4. ALCTS collaborates with organizations with similar or complementary interests
establishes and strengthens interaction and collaboration with other units within ALA
communicates and collaborates with outside organizations in the library, information, standards, and metadata communities
develops strong relationships with library and information science programs to influence the curriculum to support the interests of the Association
encourages entrepreneurial efforts
fosters dialog and exchange of ideas
Goal Area 5. ALCTS is a viable, vibrant membership organization
develops an agile, flexible organizational structure to promote a dynamic environment
emphasizes the importance and value of diversity
operates in an efficient, responsive, and fiscally sound manner
engages members in the work of the Association through face-to-face and virtual activities
maintains and disseminates information about the Association
retains and recruits members
nurtures leadership development
NOTE: The Planning Committee is working with Charles Wilt, ALCTS Executive Director and his staff to develop a database to enable committees, interest and discussion groups, etc. to provide tactical initiatives which correspond to the Strategic Goals. We are striving to make this database more user friendly and less cumbersome than the previous database, and welcome any suggestions from the membership. There will be additional information about the Strategic Plan in future issues of ANO preceding the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Seattle.
