Vision
Through UALC’s collective work, all people of Utah will benefit from strong academic libraries. We provide equitable access to the library resources that students need to succeed in higher education and support research that improves lives and strengthens communities. We facilitate opportunities to engage in lifelong learning.
Mission
The Utah Academic Library Consortium (UALC) is the cooperative organization for academic libraries in the state of Utah. By working collectively and sharing resources, UALC provides equitable access to high-quality and cost-effective information resources, research infrastructure, and support services. Our work advances educational and research outcomes and improves the quality of life across the state.
Strategic Framework
The UALC Framework is aligned with the Utah System of Higher Education’s goals and initiatives. Alignment Map.
Equitable Access
UALC promotes equitable access to higher education by removing barriers and helping students from all races, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds succeed in high quality academic programs across the state.
Strategies
- Use consortial bargaining power to purchase library resources for all member institutions at significant cost savings to Utah taxpayers.
- Use collective expertise and convening power to develop student success initiatives that reduce barriers to access and completion for underrepresented students, including the creation and dissemination of open educational resources.
- Collaborate with K-20 partners on student success initiatives, including statewide information literacy education that promotes educational and career success and strengthens community well- being.
Strong Communities
UALC strengthens local communities through educational and cultural resources, programming, and partnerships that help all Utah residents learn where they live.
Strategies
- Expand collaborative programming and outreach efforts, including partnerships with public and school libraries, digital exhibits, speaker series, tours, access to collections, and information literacy skills training to be delivered statewide.
- Preserve and share Utah’s diverse cultural heritage resources to build collective understanding and strengthen our communities.
Cooperative Stewardship
UALC fosters collaborative relationships with stakeholders, partners, and all Utah academic library employees in order to create high-quality, sustainable, and cost-effective programs with the highest impact possible.
Strategies
- Build organizational capacity through effective governance, planning, and assessment practices, in order to strengthen our collaborative work.
- Strengthen member institutions through accessible professional development programs for UALC library employees that address key issues and opportunities in academic libraries and higher education.
Action Plan 2022-2023
Equitable Access
1. Support the legislative ask and, if funded, finalize licensing of new content. If the ask is not funded, revise and resubmit legislative ask. If not funded, we will also need to consider cuts and prioritize existing subscriptions.
2. Create an Accessibility Taskforce to develop a consortial assessment of UALC licensed databases, which includes gathering VPATs and researching best practices and available tools.
3. Review UALC membership requirements in light of technical colleges added to Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) with the potential for a legislative request for funding to support these new schools.
4. Support the legislative ask, including funding to secure an OER consultant who can analyze current OER work in Utah and research best practices of other statewide OER initiatives.
Strong Communities
1. Explore how UALC can strengthen its relationship with the State Library.
2. Help MWDL clarify a strategic direction and create a strategic staffing model.
3. Investigate creating potential interest groups related to preserving and sharing Utah’s diverse cultural heritage.
Cooperative Stewardship
1. Assess and revise the UALC governance and operations structure to better align committees, task forces, and UALC Council work with strategic priorities.
2. Implement an assessment and reporting plan covering all UALC activities that supports statewide retention, completion, and equity plans, and that communicates the role that academic libraries play in strengthening institutions across the Utah higher education system. For this year, assess all UALC activities and report on assessment at the spring Council meeting.
3. Implement a UALC budget strategy that aligns with the USHE strategic plan.