What is the UC Libraries' Next-Generation Technical Services initiative? This presentation delivers an overview of the goals, the framework for implementation, and the portfolio of projects that comprise the initiative.
Alphabet soup to many in UC. Poll: Who knows what all of these acronyms stand for? CoUL stands for Council of University Librarians, SOPAG is the Systemwide Operations Planning and Advisory Group, which develops action plans and issues recommendations for consideration by the ULs on cooperative/system-wide library work, and appoints and oversees the ACGs, or all-campus groups. ACGs include 1 rep from each campus, 1 from CDL, and a LAUC rep. We’ll cover the NGTS acronyms during this presentation.
Not all of the reasons, but these points speak to the impetus behind the initiative. We need to cooperate, improve our technical services operations, and realize efficiencies in order to keep up with the pace of the information resources we acquire or that are now being produced. The Libraries also need to redirect the focus of our resources on commonly held materials to the unique materials and new information resources produced that are of value to our researchers.
Ultimate objective: delivering info to the people we serve efficiently and effectively
2 initial phases to the initiative; out of the second phase emerged a set of recommendations that have been prioritized by the ULs for implementation. These fall under four major goals.
SOPAG was charged with overseeing implementation. Aim to set up a more nimble structure, where teams are empowered to take action under direction of the management team. Power of Three groups and Lightning teams (“quick, focused”) are a departure from past practice of task groups with 11 reps. Still, deliberate about informing ACGs and relevant groups; initial charges identified required collaboration and consultation.
PMWG arose from a recognition that libraries need to apply project management expertise to our work. Formed group to support the NGTS implementation and will be establishing best practices that will be of benefit to our overall operations.
Guiding principles speak to need for communication plans and continuous vetting laterally and vertically. Communications manager assigned; UC Merced allotted (donated) 50% of E Lin’s time to NGTS; part of management team. Communication not just NGTS-specific, but broader aim of enhancing knowledge of staff on building next gen services.
SPOTs are Power of Three groups formed of SOPAG members that are assigned high-level, strategic issues. SPOT 2: importance of a stable funding model; currently no existing structure to fund work/operations across campuses. SPOT 3 tracking developments on the national arena relevant to NGTS.
Current methods of communication: blog, monthly update based on progress reports from POTs, also tracking on Twitter using #ucngts.
