Introducing Clark College Libraries’ Equity-Focused Strategic Plan for 2022-2023

In honor and action for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it seems fitting to share the library’s new Equity-Focused Strategic Plan:

Clark College Libraries work to eliminate barriers and provide equitable information access through our services, resources, and instruction.

We strive to:

• provide a welcoming and supportive environment for the Clark College community
• acquire, curate, organize, and facilitate universal access to physical and online resources
• teach and advocate for information literacy across the college’s physical and virtual locations

We acknowledge the systemic barriers to the participation of systemically non-dominant groups in libraries and in higher education. Leading with racial equity, Clark College Libraries offer culturally relevant resources and equity-minded services to our patrons.

Our goals align with the values of Clark College’s 2021-2026 Social Equity Framework—Abolitionist Framework, Collective Care, Inclusive Practices, and Transformative Mindset.

Clark College Libraries 2022-23 Goals

For each goal, we will examine related library policies using the Abolitionist Framework.

• Goal 1: Improve accessibility of library materials and spaces (Abolitionist Framework, Inclusive Practices)
  • Strategy 1: Propose an accessibility project as one of the Alliance Strategic Initiatives.
  • Strategy 2: At our Library Leadership Team meetings, identify areas for improvement in library policies related to accessibility.
• Goal 2: Improve communication between library colleagues (Collective Care, Inclusive Practices)
  • Strategy 1: Unit Dean will work with the Administrative Services Manager and Acquisitions Specialist on a library budget report to share with the library. The Unit Dean will share the library budget report with the library at least once a term to help inform budget decisions and keep complete transparency.
  • Strategy 2: Establish meeting agreements and use at meetings.

You can expect to see updates throughout the year as we work on these goals, and we welcome your feedback!