How, then, could UW Libraries contribute to this aspect of the U Wyoming mission?  

 

 

I have graduated from, or worked in, some of the finest Universities in North America, most of them with ARL libraries, and so I have a sense, from academic and library perspectives, what this entails. (But I know I have a lot to learn!)

 

 

A.  Achieving ARL Status

 

 

This is integral to the research mission of the University.  Specifically, it means striving toward and achieving new levels of library resources and services. This, actually, is one the initiatives mentioned in the positing of this position, and one that really piqued my interest, given my background. 

 

In terms of collection size, UW is well on its way. 

 

If one of the elements of membership is size of library professional and support staff, this would need to be examined closely, but I can't help but think that deepening the library's research partners across campus would help considerably in this regard.

 

I understand there is a plan in place to see this happen by 2020.  This is terrific!

 

Why is ARL status important?

 

     i.  participate in creating and influencing the national and international agenda for libraries and higher

            education.

     ii. help develop strategies to define the research library of the 21st century.

     iii. broaden the scope of library collaboration.

     iv. help attract top-tier faculty and researchers and graduate students to the University

               (not indicated in the ARL roster of benefits, but I think this is important.)

 

 

 

 

B.  Data Management

 

To be "one of the finest," in my view, requires the library to paticpate, or take a leadership role, in Data Management.  UW already does this to some extent, but there are more opportunities.

 

These include:

     i.  Developing initiatives to expand data management systems,

                    including storage and access to big data

 

     ii. Tapping into the resources of the deep web (not to be confused with the 'dark web.')

                 (big data on the internet that does not have adequate metadata)

 

     iii.  Developing a deepening partnership with UW Research Office, IT, and the library

 

* We would need to pull together the thought-leaders and stakeholders on campus to explore this further.

 

 

 

 

 

C.  Maintain and Expand Research Collections

 

  i.  Build on the already rich collections represented in the 1.5 + million volumes already held by

            the libraries.

   ii. Promote resource sharing.  (Collection specializations within the Alliance, for instance)

   iii. Expand digital collections.

                -- both licensed and purchased

                          (the latter better suited for state-wide access)