New mission, vision and strategic framework advance human flourishing
MILESTONE 59 — On May 17, 2022, the Hesburgh Libraries launched a new mission, vision, and strategic framework designed to help advance Notre Dame’s aspirations to be recognized as the leading global Catholic research university while prioritizing academic excellence, knowledge creation, and human flourishing.
In this framework, each member of the library community plays a key role in advancing strategic goals and objectives, sustaining critical operations, and defining shared values. Together, the organization will build an inclusive, diverse, and dynamic culture as they partner across the University to elevate Notre Dame’s research and teaching agenda and simultaneously advance student and faculty work in a digital and interdisciplinary environment.
The framework aligns with with Notre Dame’s new Strategic Framework that emphasizes “thinking and acting as one institution in order to make the most meaningful contributions to questions of national and international concern.”
Thanks to this immersive and inclusive effort, the Hesburgh Libraries is well-positioned to lead vital work on Notre Dame’s campus and among Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and Association of American Universities (AAU) research library peers to contribute to a world in need.
Appointing an inclusive and dynamic committee
In the fall of 2021, the Hesburgh Libraries began a partnership with Notre Dame’s Institutional Research, Innovation & Strategy, or IRIS (formerly known as OSPIR), to develop a new Hesburgh Libraries Strategic Framework. This effort was concurrent with institution-wide strategic planning. The charge included creating a new mission and vision for the future along with a set of measurable objectives with key results to guide strategic work for the Hesburgh Libraries over the next five to ten years.
The process began during a Town Hall meeting on October 21, 2021, when the dean announced the appointment of a 10-person team to serve on the Strategic Planning Liaison Committee (SPLC). On December 2, the SPLC and IRIS kicked off a six-month process to 1) envision how the Hesburgh Libraries would help elevate Notre Dame’s research and teaching aspirations and 2) simultaneously advance student and faculty work in a networked, digital, interdisciplinary, and collaborative environment.
Chaired by Dean K. Matthew Dames, SPLC membership was deliberately structured to include faculty and staff and reflect diverse perspectives, experiences, and roles from across the Hesburgh Libraries. Throughout their work, members consistently brought a global, holistic view of the Hesburgh Libraries system, research librarianship, and the present and future of scholarly communications.
Engaging the library and campus communities
First, the SPLC assessed the current state of the Hesburgh Libraries by analyzing survey responses from the Libraries’ faculty and staff, reviewing unit-level SWOTs, and conducting external benchmarking. IRIS conducted listening sessions with key stakeholder groups, and Dames held listening meetings with key campus partners, including fellow deans and the Office of the Provost.
Next, over the course of six sessions in the spring semester, the Committee provided critical thought leadership to develop the framework, informed by benchmarking data and stakeholder feedback. In May 2022, the SPLC presented a final report and strategic framework, along with summary explanations and thought processes, during a library-wide town hall meeting.
Throughout the process, written internal communications were shared a minimum of twice per month to provide updates, respond to questions, and elicit input to further inform SPLC work. Open feedback forms and in-person office hours were made available to all — these opportunities for input still continue into the present day.
Mission
Hesburgh Libraries cultivates curiosity and discovery as a hub for intellectual life. We advance the University’s research, teaching, and learning goals while fostering Notre Dame’s engagement with the global scholarly community.
Vision
Hesburgh Libraries will be a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive community that advances human flourishing. Collectively, we will shift the paradigm on how research libraries further the creation, understanding, and use of knowledge.
Goals
- Foster a strong organizational culture at Hesburgh Libraries by developing shared purpose, clear expectations, and trust amongst all employees.
- Build and empower a diverse, agile workforce that advances Hesburgh Libraries' mission and vision while encouraging care for every employee's mind, body, and spirit.
- Develop a sustainable, robust, and adaptable technical infrastructure and organization-wide best practices that are the bedrock for effectively managing our services and resources.
- Promote scholarly success through preeminent services and collections that equip users to access, create, and share knowledge.
- Inspire affinity with Hesburgh Libraries by sharing impactful stories that enhance our reputation as a leader and partner in the scholarly enterprise.
About the Hesburgh Libraries
The Hesburgh Libraries is a dynamic organization that features the flagship Hesburgh Library which, along with the Main Building and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, is one of three iconic buildings that define the skyline of the Notre Dame campus. Nearly 60 years ago, Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., envisioned that the library would serve as the intellectual heart of the University. The Hesburgh Library and its world-famous Word of Life mural still stand as a symbol of academic excellence and the pursuit of truth both on Notre Dame’s storied Indiana campus and with scholarly communities around the world.
The Hesburgh Library building houses the Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship, the Medieval Institute Library, Rare Books & Special Collections, University Archives, and the Visual Resources Center. The Hesburgh Libraries organization also includes three specialty libraries located across the Notre Dame campus (Architecture Library, Business Library, and Music Library). Whether online or within the nearly 500,000 square feet of library spaces, the Hesburgh Libraries engages scholars, inspires intellectual inquiry, and advances teaching and research on campus and beyond.
Hesburgh Libraries Strategic Planning Liaison Committee
- Reggie Burton, Facilities
- K. Matthew Dames, Edward H. Arnold Dean and Committee Chair
- Mark Dehmlow, Information Technology
- Peggy Griesinger, Metadata Initiatives
- Mandy Havert, Advanced Research Services
- Kelly McNally, Committee Liaison
- Erika Hosselkus, Rare Books & Special Collections
- Sarah Kasten, R & D Analyst
- Tara Kenjockety, Reserves & Interlibrary Loan Lending
- Steve Mattison, Enterprise Systems
- Jessica Morales, Collection Strategy & Acquisitions
- Elizabeth Nicholson, User Education and Engagement
- Julie Vecchio, Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship
Notre Dame Institutional Research, Innovation & Strategy Partners (formerly OSPIR)
- David Bailey, Vice President
- Lissa Bill, Strategic Planning Program Director
- Jessica Schuman, Strategic Planning Program Director
