Create a Workplace of Choice

Meeting the needs of a world-class research and teaching institution requires that the Libraries attracts, develops, and retains its most important asset—a highly knowledgeable and capable staff. To accomplish this, the Libraries will create a workplace that provides competitive compensation, fosters diversity, operates transparently, provides the resources and infrastructure necessary for staff to perform at their best, and which inspires and rewards risk-taking, innovation and self-renewal.

2007 Initiatives are shown in Bold Italics.

A. Work actively to improve staff compensation, rewards, and recognition

1. Develop and implement a salary enhancement strategy that addresses compensation and compression issues.
2. Establish Distinguished Librarian Award.
3. Seek opportunities to nominate staff for awards.
4. Implement recommendations for reward and recognition program from Staff Development Advisory Committee.

B. Build a culture of open communication

1. Implement the Communications Report recommendations.
2. Support the work of the newly established Organization Development and Communications Advisory Committee.

C. Support a culture of diversity awareness

1. Implement the Diversity Plan and its recommendations.
2. Support the work of the newly established Diversity Advisory Committee.
3. Build connections and relationships with UW diversity efforts.

D. Expand training and development program

1. Develop and deliver communications training.
2. Design curriculum for supervisory training /development.
3. Consider and try innovative ways for staff to learn and use new technologies.

E. Support experimentation, innovation and risk taking

1. Encourage managers to provide a work environment where risk taking and thinking “outside the box” can flourish.
2. Allocate discretionary funding for pilots and experimentation.
3. Use experimentation, innovation and risk taking as operating principle for initiatives.
4. Highlight experimentation, innovation and risk taking activities to staff.

F. Encourage Libraries staff to play leadership roles and contribute to advancing libraries and learning

1. Investigate ways to increase travel and professional development funding.
2. Invest in leadership development, training and national programs.
3. Foster wider involvement of staff members in committees and other working groups.
4. Encourage and support research skills including writing, presentations and scholarship.

G. Identify, organize and provide easy access to information needed for management and planning

1. Build a management information structure that is easy to access and use.
2. Identify key data elements necessary for effective management.
3. Conduct a survey of data and statistics collected within the Libraries.
4. Link to University Information Management systems.

H. Ensure a technological infrastructure that is responsive to the changing needs of employees

1. Redesign Staffweb/intranet using content management software.
2. Upgrade staff workstations to current standards.
3. Implement and evaluate collaborative software tools, i.e., a shared calendaring system.
4. Identify and establish a test bed for software and productivity tools in response to changing needs of staff.

I. Ensure positive and productive work and services spaces for Libraries staff

1. Conduct a comprehensive space inventory and update the Libraries long-range facility plan.
2. Expand the branch library refurbishment program.
3. Work to enhance staff workspaces through remodeling and renovation opportunities. Upgrade furnishings and equipment.
4. Continue ergonomic program.