Communications Committee

Goals and Tasks

Updated: 3 November 2005

Develop and Implement A Communications Plan for the Library System

Make library communications more consistent in format to (1) make it easier for users to understand resources from different libraries; (2) confirm that we are one organization; (3) reduce staff time and cost; and (4) reinforce our most important messages

• Determine what communication vehicles are in use throughout the library system
• Write communications policies and standards for the libraries that encourage consistency
• Create a template for presentations in the library

Improve Our External Communications with Students, Faculty and Alumni

• Define our audiences
• Identify user needs
• Use the existing LibQUAL+ results and update after spring results are received
• Talk with other committees about their communications needs
• Get buy-in from users, especially students and faculty
  • Create RSS faculty newsfeed

Improve Our Internal Communications with Staff, Particularly in Reference to the Progress of the Strategic Plan

• Create RSS staff newsfeed (completed 11/05)
• Create wikis for committee minutes and train staff
• Create a wiki Strategic Plan page that allows for updates (to be completed in Nov. 2005)
• With LITS, create a resource for staff to volunteer for project team work (to be completed in Nov. 2005)
• Work with committees to schedule forums
• Plan for an annual strategic plan report (to be completed in September 2006)
• Review the Mulberry distribution lists to eliminate outdated lists and identify groups that need to be added
• With the Digital Library Steering Committee review the Staffweb to determine if some items need to go to the Public Web, be restricted, or removed.

Create A Marketing Plan for the Library that Defines the VUL as A Major Trans-Institutional Organization Underpinning the Academic Mission of the University

• Create talking points for the year in the summer months. Consider exhibits, programs, lectures, FOL event topics, press releases, and Acorn Chronicle articles as venues for the reinforcement of these points
• Create a year-long schedule for press releases with assignments
• Establish relationships with other groups who share our goals and with user groups who can help to communicate the library’s messages
• Create a resource list of publicity vehicles for internal and external communication
• Research successful marketing and building campaigns at other university libraries
• Resolve our “name” issues
• With the Center for Academic Life Committee, create a marketing plan to disseminate the concept of the Center for Academic Life

Redesign the Library’s Web Site

• Update our Web presence after marketing plan is created and user needs are identified

Create Assessment Mechanisms for Our Communication Projects