Give your feedback on ACRL annual assumptions

The Research Planning and Review Committee is charged with collecting member feedback each year on the “Assumptions About the Relevant Future for Research and Academic Librarians and Libraries” This feedback helps to inform annual discussions by the Board of Directors on the status of the Strategic Plan and on any initiatives or programs that might be pursued by the Association in the coming year. Beginning this year, we are encouraging broad feedback from ACRL members on the “Assumptions” through the use of a Web-based survey instrument available at https://marvin.foresightint.com/surveys/Tier1Survey/ACRL/231.

This survey instrument will be available for use by ACRL members immediately following the conclusion of the ALA Midwinter meeting. In completing the survey, we ask that respondents keep the following questions in mind:

• How would you rank the importance of each of the established “Assumptions” in terms of its being a priority for ACRL attention in the coming year (2009)?

• Are there established “Assumptions” that remain relevant, but require substantial revision in light of changes to the academic and research library environment over the past 5 years?

• Are there established “Assumptions” that are no longer relevant to the future of academic and research libraries that should be dropped from future surveys?

• How would you rank the importance of each of the “Emergent Issues” identified in the 2007 Environmental Scan in terms of its being a priority for ACRL attention in the coming year (2009)?

• Are there any “Emergent Issues” that have become so significant that they should be included as part of the “Assumptions” for future surveys?

Finally, the instrument will provide opportunities for members to identify additional “emergent issues” not addressed in either the “Assumptions” document or in the 2007 Environmental Scan.

All ACRL members are encouraged to complete the survey. The survey will remain online and available to respondents until March 30, 2008.

The Research Planning and Review Committee will also sponsor a focus group discussion of the “Assumptions” at the ALA Annual Meeting in Anaheim. Please watch for further information as the date draws closer.

Thank you in advance for your participation in this important component of ongoing strategic planning by the Association.