Guiding Principles for Technical Services through a Content Analysis of Strategic Plans

Abstract

Academic libraries develop strategic plans as instruments for grounding operational work in shared vision and measurable goals. The authors of this chapter test the assumption that technical services work is often absent in library strategic plans, even if that work is an assumed component. They explore the representation of technical services through a rich content analysis of Association of Research Libraries member strategic plans to reveal key themes and use the results as a tool to more broadly develop a set of guiding principles for technical services professionals in the 21st century. To provide valuable and relevant services to users, technical services professionals must develop bold and sustainable guiding principles informed by both their representation in their libraries' strategic plans and emerging trends in academic libraries.

Citation

Bibee, A., Gallagher, E. and Isaak, D. (2021), "Guiding Principles for Technical Services through a Content Analysis of Strategic Plans", Hines, S.S. (Ed.) Technical Services in the 21st Century (Advances in Library Administration and Organization, Vol. 42), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 5-20. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0732-067120210000042003