In this epoch shaped by environmental uncertainty, a global pandemic, and a national focus on racial justice, change is the only constant. During these unprecedented times, the Penn Libraries remains agile and responsive, bolstering the University’s mission of teaching, research, and learning, with the evolving needs of our communities at the forefront of our priorities. The world has changed dramatically since we began writing our strategic plan in fall 2019, but we are unwavering in our commitment to deliver collections and services at point of need, anytime, anywhere. Looking ahead, we must continue building our capacity to address the essential information challenges and opportunities in an ever-changing world. We must sharply increase our efforts to acquire and provide digital content, to digitize pre-existing Penn-owned collections, and to make strategic investments in technology. It is critical that we continue to reimagine our physical spaces and services in increasingly virtual environments. At the same time, we must continue and strengthen the conversations launched in spring 2020 on what we as an organization can contribute to local and national movements to address the inequities of our society. Libraries are built to serve all people—whether in brick and mortar buildings or through virtual interactions. In building deep and distinctive collections, preserving knowledge, and increasing access to it, we have the ability to inspire, to offer hope, and to change people’s lives. As we move forward with our strategic plan, we reaffirm our commitment to creating a living and learning environment that is truly transformative, safe, and welcoming for all. Thank you for your support and partnership in advancing knowledge to power Penn and better the world.

—Constantia Constantinou, H. Carton Rogers III Vice Provost & Director of Libraries

After an 18-month process that entailed gathering and synthesizing information from the University of Pennsylvania community and beyond, the Penn Libraries has released a strategic plan to guide its work through 2025.

“Our extraordinary Penn Libraries are at the heart of our campus mission,” said Provost Wendell Pritchett. “They inspire learning for every member of our community, while facilitating research and scholarship that change the world. This rigorous strategic plan, developed with extensive input across our campus, will help us redefine library services to meet the evolving needs of the Penn community, especially in response to the many changes of this year and the years ahead.”

Through vision and mission statements, shared organizational values, and four core strategic priorities, the plan aligns the Libraries’ work with the Penn Compact 2022 pillars of inclusion, innovation, and impact, and the University’s goal of advancing knowledge for good.

“Our strategic priorities are the compass for navigating our future,” said Constantia Constantinou, H. Carton Rogers III Vice Provost and Director of the Penn Libraries. “With the plan in place, we will continue and expand the work we do with our campus partners and our wider communities to inspire staff and patrons and provide the tools and resources they need to thrive.”

The Libraries launched its strategic planning efforts in spring 2019 in collaboration with DeEtta Jones and Associates. As a first step, a Strategic Planning Steering Committee was formed with representatives from across the Libraries’ staff.

“Our Strategic Planning Steering Committee represented a constellation of Penn Libraries history and expertise,” said Michael Williams, Head of Global Studies Technical Services and co-facilitator of the planning committee. “We contributed experience in collection building, metadata management, student success, research partnerships, data analytics, storytelling, and above all, stewardship of our Libraries’ physical and digital spaces and care for the collections and patrons who occupy them.”

Charged with designing an actionable vision for the Libraries, the committee worked together to analyze trends across and beyond the library profession, examine the current state of peer and aspirational peer institutions, and convene structured conversations with Libraries staff to develop collective goals. Throughout the process, Penn faculty, students, and researchers were engaged through focus groups, presentations, and conversations on campus.

During spring 2019, the Libraries also engaged Athenaeum21, a user-centered strategy and technology firm, to review the Libraries’ digital programs, systems, and services and offer input to the planning process. As part of the review, Athenaeum21’s principals met with Penn Libraries staff members and stakeholders across the University. They provided recommendations to the Libraries on designing a digital strategy to meet the evolving needs of the Penn community and become a leader in digital strategy, collections, programs, and scholarship.

Of course, “evolving needs” took on new significance over the last seven months, with challenges presented by environmental uncertainty and a global pandemic, and an increased national focus on racial justice.

Along with many institutions, in spring 2020 the Libraries pivoted to provide services and resources in a largely virtual environment due to safety measures put in place during the pandemic. The Libraries’ leadership and staff took action to address the very real and urgent need to increase acquisition and delivery of digital content, applying creative solutions and accelerating strategic investments in technology. They also emphasized expert, personalized virtual support from librarians, from live chat services to videoconference consultations. 

“Yes, the world has changed since we began writing this plan,” Dr. Constantinou said. “But we are committed to providing a personal touch and delivering collections, services, and expertise at point of need, anytime, anywhere. We are also committed to creating a living and learning environment that is truly transformative, safe and welcoming for all. As the world turns, we remain agile, responsive, and resilient.”

Next steps? To move from plan to action, ten staff-led teams will launch projects that connect the plan’s priorities and strategies to the overall operations of the Penn Libraries.

Find the full strategic plan on the Libraries’ website, and follow the Libraries’ news blog for stories and updates throughout the coming years.