News and Events

Earlier issues of this newsletter have highlighted various strategic directions within the Libraries’ evolving Strategic Plan—building learning environments, deepening connections with scholarship, and modeling a library organization. I have left the most enduring and perhaps obvious one for last—that the Libraries ensures access to ideas and authoritative information sources, regardless of time or geography, for Drexel’s diverse community to learn, contribute to scholarship, and serve society.

Libraries staff is undertaking innovative initiatives to address this important responsibility. We continue to license access to electronic information resources, critical to research and teaching, and are challenged in doing so by the growing population at Drexel, as well as the expansion of the University’s scholarly communications and research scope. We are also working to simplify the discovery of multiple unique collections across Drexel and beyond, and collaboratively with others, to ensure that the creative expressions at Drexel are available to others for future use in teaching and research.

Preserving and ensuring access to Drexel’s history and legacy is also a key focus in the Libraries’ planning for the University Archives. This year we are working to establish archives for Greek life and athletics and welcome your help in building these resources to share stories about the Drexel experience and impact.

Many people have contributed to the Libraries’ planning efforts by identifying trends, describing needs, and pointing out opportunities. I hope that you will continue to share your thoughts and support for the Libraries as we strive toward strengthening Drexel's access to ideas and with this issue, invite you to read the Libraries’ Strategic Plan 2012 – 2017 that will guide our efforts over the next five years.