4. Objectives, issues, and key strategic initiatives 2008-2010

Key Area 6: Quality management

Objective: To ensure that the Library meets or exceeds the requirements and standards of best practice in the Australian university sector.

Ongoing Activities:

To provide a planning and continuing improvement framework for activities and services;
To provide an energised, innovative work environment;
To manage resources cost-effectively;
To continue to improve the Library’s marketing and communications programs;
To provide an effective staff performance and development program;
To provide information and assistance to Monash staff and students in managing copyright compliance.

Issues: The Library is committed to employing and developing high quality staff to ensure the delivery of excellent services. A structured, ongoing program of professional development is required, in addition to opportunities for staff to contribute throughout the Library and participate in innovative projects and working groups.

Librarians and Learning Skills Advisers need to be well versed in current teaching and learning styles and practices. They need to be able to effectively impart information and to develop, facilitate and lead academic and information literacy.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is profoundly embedded in the Library’s activities and services. Understanding and managing ICT creatively and well remain priority tasks.

The Library needs to understand the changing policy, regulatory and financial environment in which it and the University exist, and to manage accordingly.

The Library has a role in monitoring copyright compliance in the University and alerting areas where there are risk factors. This is a challenge in a large multi-campus environment faced with a changing copyright environment and complex compliance regimes.

The Library has a commitment to working within a communication framework in order to best meet its clients’ needs. This entails regular surveying, targeted communication and responsive planning. The Library has improved its performance in these areas through the appointment of professional communications staff.

Key Strategic Initiatives

Strategies	Actions	Measures/Targets/KPIs	Responsibility
6.1 Contribute to planning and quality activities.	Maintain, implement and review the Library risk profile and legal compliance risk register.	Library risk profile and legal compliance risk register is reviewed regularly.	Director Central Services; Library Budget Manager.
	Continue to liaise with faculties to ensure that Service Levels meet or exceed expectations. Ensure that current SLAs are in place.	Current SLAs in place and KPIs met or exceeded.	Directors; Library Planning Executive
	Ensure that all new initiatives are subjected to the University’s approved project planning methodologies (Thomsett).	New projects are documented and managed according to Thomsett project planning methodology.	Directors.
	Provide training for appropriate staff in the approved project planning methodologies.	Training provided.	Directors.
	Improve communication within organizational units and between organizational units.	Evidence of improved communication from senior managers and other library staff.	Directors; Supervisors; Communication Manager.
	Prepare for a full audit of the Library.	Preparations in place.	Library Planning Executive.
6.2 Undertake benchmarking to reach best practice standards.	Implement values and behaviours and conduct communication workshops in response to the staff survey.	Agreed actions are implemented.	Directors; Branch Managers; Communication Manager.
	Develop an action plan in response to the 2007 customer survey.	Insync survey action plan is completed and implemented.	Communication Manager; Library Planning Executive.
	Compare targeted areas with similar functions in other organisations.	Benchmarking activities undertaken.	Directors; Supervisors.
6.3 Improve professional development.	Further engage staff in the performance management process.	Annual performance plans are drawn up for all staff, and regular feedback on performance given to staff by supervisors.	Supervisors.
	Develop a professional development framework to target training and development programs to meet organisational objectives.	Professional development framework is developed and its recommendations implemented. Training and development programs have been delivered to staff according to the professional development framework.	Directors; Supervisors; HR Manager
	Improve position descriptions to include skills and competencies required for each position	Positions descriptions are reviewed and amended as appropriate.	Directors; Supervisors; HR Manager.
	Ensure that all staff are trained in new technologies.	Training given and new technologies successfully in use by staff.	HR Manager; Supervisors.
	Implement training for staff involved in information literacy programs and learning skills programs.	Training implemented and delivered.	HR Manager; Information Literacy Librarian.
6.4 Improve copyright compliance and provide support and resources to the University.	Maintain, implement and review the University’s copyright risk profile and legal compliance risk register.	University risk profile and legal compliance risk register have been reviewed.	Director, Central Services; Copyright Adviser.
	Provide training for appropriate staff in approved training methodologies.	Training provided; induction procedures instituted and appropriate information is available.	Copyright Adviser
	Continue to communicate and raise awareness within the faculties and administrative units to ensure that copyright responsibilities and legal obligations are fully understood.	Copyright Advisory Group (CoAG) meetings quarterly. Regular faculty and departmental copyright coordinator meetings and presentations provided to staff and students.	Director, Central Services; Copyright Adviser.