Strategic Planning

Four key directions will shape the future of Drexel University Libraries as a vibrant learning enterprise advancing the University’s investment in academic excellence, improvement of the student experience, creative research, growing enrollment and enhanced global impact.

“I am pleased to share the Libraries’ Strategic Plan and am grateful to its many contributors,” said Danuta A. Nitecki, dean of Libraries.

Over 60 individuals energetically engaged in the planning process at a July 2011 Future Search Conference, which explored how the Libraries can advance the University's transformation. Since then, many individuals have helped to shape and articulate the plan to identify the four directions, tagged as; access, environments, connections and organization

Thinking about the future is an exciting exercise and a challenge when placed against the backdrop of leading change in an organization to shape its future for positive impact. In the Libraries, we have looked at where we are and contemplated the many changes in scholarly publishing, information technologies, social communications, use of space, learning behavior, and the University’s ambitious emphasis on its research, experiential learning opportunities, global outreach, and civic engagement.

But, as the well-known author of Megatrends, John Naisbitt, notes, “strategic planning is worthless—unless there is first a strategic vision.”

Drexel University Libraries is transforming into a learning enterprise. As this transformation continues, new strategic directions have emerged to set priorities for the Libraries’ future.

Philadelphia, PA (July 14, 2011) — Drexel University’s Libraries will host a Future Search conference at the Queen Lane campus July 19 – 21, 2011. The conference will bring together around 60 individuals from the Libraries’ multiple stakeholder groups. Results from the conference will help to build a vision and directions for the future of the Libraries.

Drexel University students, faculty, staff, administrators and leaders, as well as librarians and community members were invited to attend the conference by Dean of Libraries, Danuta A. Nitecki.

“The Libraries have never undertaken anything like this before and the conference results will become an instrumental part of our planning for the future,” Dean Nitecki said.