Strategic Planning Alive and Well 

SPEC Kit 210, Strategic Planning in ARL Libraries documents strategic
planning as the most common method of planning in member institutions,
and, with few exceptions, was deemed successful by both library and
university administrators.  In almost every case reported to this Kit,
respondents initiated strategic planning to resolve the common dilemma
facing research libraries today of having to do "more with less."
Outcomes of the process are varied but can include the ability to make
informed decisions about the allocation of time, personnel, and money;
the opportunity to become campus leaders in introducing new
information technologies; and the provision of an overall structure in
which to set priorities while capitalizing on targets of opportunity.
The results further emphasize the need for the support and involvement
of library users, university administrators, and all levels of staff
to ensure that the process is successful.

This Kit and Flyer were compiled by Richard W.  Clement, Associate
Special Collections Librarian, University of Kansas.

In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of OMS, this is the first
issue in the SPEC Kit series printed in color.  The SPEC Kit series
began in 1970 and has since worked with its constituents to identify
the best practices in research libraries for meeting the needs of
users.
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Increases in Library Systems Office Staff and Activities Reported

SPEC Kit 211, Library Systems Office Organization documents a nearly forty
percent overall increase in systems office staff in the last five
years due to the exploding interest in the Internet as a means of
providing library services.  Despite this significant increase in
staff through hiring or reorganization, the demand for service is not
always satisfied.  Other pertinent issues include participation in the
library's planning and budgeting process; interdepartmental
relationships; computing trends; and the need for continuing education
and professional development of systems personnel.  Detailed
statistical information on the number of positions across various
staff categories, systems activities, and titles and reporting
relationships as well as organizational charts and position
descriptions are included.

Library Systems Office Organization was compiled by Scott Muir,
Systems Officer, University of Alabama.
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TQM Proceedings Published

OMS announces publication of Total Quality Management in Academic
Libraries: Initial Implementation Efforts, Proceedings of the 1st
International Conference on TQM and Academic Libraries.  This
Conference was co-sponsored by Wayne State University and the ARL
Office of Management Services, with financial support from the Council
on Library Resources.

Presentations and papers focus on TQM and higher education; using TQM
management and planning tools; benchmarking; initiating and
implementing a TQM program; building a continuous improvement climate;
and facilitation skills for teams.  The keynote address was delivered
by Daniel T. Seymour, author of On Q: Causing Quality in Higher
Education.  Seymour, the author of seven books, is a well-known
consultant on quality issues and process to both higher education and
industry.

The full text of all presentations, papers, and handouts are included
in this 348 page book.  The Proceedings were edited by Laura Rounds
and Michael Matthews.

These publications may be obtained through ARL Publications,
Department #0692, Washington, DC 20073-0692, (202) 296-2296, (email:
arlhq@cni.org).

-- Laura Rounds, OMS Program Officer for Information Services

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ARL 182
A Bimonthly Newsletter of Research Library Issues and Actions
Association of Research Libraries
October 1995