University Library Development Strategy

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the development of a university library strategy in the period of digitalization of all spheres of social activity. There are analyzed theoretical approaches and practical methods for developing strategic planning in library activities. The paper defines the need for strategic management as a factor in the effectiveness of a university library. There are considered the directions of the library strategic development, which depend on the vector of development of the university, its educational and research activities.The strategic planning is presented as a process of modeling the future activities of the library. It includes the library’s mission formulation, its objectives, tasks and events to achieve the goals, as well as its key performance indicators. The article sees the development strategy as an element of the management process aimed at creating and maintaining a strategic balance between the goals of the library and the university, its potential and likely development prospects.The article shows the advantages of SWOT analysis as a unique tool for designing a library development strategy. There are presented five stages of developing the Strategy for the Scientific Library of the Siberian Federal University. The authors note that the library has a good potential to develop the digitalization process: there is a digitization center, good technical equipment, its own software products, an extensive repertoire of world resources, a wide range of online services, etc. However, there are also weak points that hinder the library development: the obsolescence of the computer equipment, the lack of modern ergonomic space for individual and group work of students, the irregular acquisition of printed publications, the instability of funding, etc. All this can complicate the library development in the context of the digital economy development and lead to a decline in the prestige of the library. The library’s development strategy is aimed at eliminating these problems. It presents the goals, objectives, efficiency criteria for each area of activity of the modern library of the university. The article reveals the main strategic directions of the library’s development. The proposed strategy can become a real tool for optimizing the activities of all libraries in the transition period of the digital society development.