Skip to main content

Vision

A dynamic nexus fostering innovation

Download Vision PDF

Northwestern University Libraries provide information resources and services of the highest quality to sustain and enhance the University’s teaching and research.  We are a dynamic nexus fostering innovation in learning, research, scholarship, and creativity. 

This strategic vision is built upon three key priorities:

Transform digital research

We aim to revolutionize digital research methods by leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to empower scholars to delve deeper into unique primary sources. This includes establishing a central program for digital scholarship and expanding support for computational research and learning. 

Advance access to resources

We commit to advancing access to scholarly resources by efficiently managing research data, contributing to the Big Ten Academic Alliance BIG Collection, promoting open educational resources, and integrating unique collections with academic programs.  

Enhance library experiences

We seek to enhance library experiences by optimizing facilities, increasing spaces for intellectual engagement, and adapting services to align with the evolving needs of the University.  

Initiatives

  • Serve as catalyst for new research methods, leveraging a human-centered approach to artificial intelligence and machine learning, for scholars to analyze and interpret unique primary sources.
  • Establish a central campus program for digital scholarship focusing on innovative uses of artificial intelligence and machine learning in interdisciplinary research. 
  • Expand instruction and curricular support for computational and data-intensive research and learning across all disciplines. 
  • Support Northwestern’s research enterprise with infrastructure, policies, and procedures to manage research data, in partnership with Office of Research and Northwestern IT. 
  • Contribute significantly and actively to the realization of the Big Ten Academic Alliance BIG Collection, a shared collection of more than 114 million volumes held across all Big Ten institutions. 
  • Lead campus-wide efforts to promote the creation and adoption of Open Educational Resources and improve affordability of academic resources for Northwestern students. 
  • Build meaningful integration between Northwestern’s unique collections and academic programs.  
  • Improve the Northwestern experience by optimizing campus library facilities 
  • Support the University’s future needs by completing a long-term master space plan in partnership with the Office of the Provost and Facilities Management. 
  • Increase campus intellectual engagement spaces by renovating part of Deering Library. 
  • Improve student-centric experiences for collaboration, quiet study, and emerging technology exploration. 
  • Maximize the impact of librarians and information professionals in re-envisioned library services and roles that align with University priorities and meet emerging academic needs. 

Projects

As we have developed our vision, we have determined discrete projects for FY 24 to align with the University's vision and mission:

  • Grow our library-centered digital scholarship model by expanding our implementation of machine learning and data visualization, transforming digital collections into computational platforms.
  • Accelerate our holding reclamation project with OCLC to ensure the most up-to-date representation of Northwestern's collections for discoverability as well as loanability.
  • Replace the existing UBorrow platform with Resource Sharing for Groups, a new platform the BTAA is developing with OCLC and upgrade Northwestern's ILLiad instance to version 9.2.
  • Align interlibrary lending policies regarding e-resources, special collections and digitization services  with the BTAA Resource Access Policy to enhance collection access and use across the BTAA.
  • Assess and evaluate course materials services, the OER Grant Program, and course reserve, and provide recommendations for improvement, as well as develop a communications strategy to improve visibility of the Libraries' course materials services.
  • Pilot a website for e-books available through the Libraries for coursework.
  • Develop a research data management service model that is scalable using technologies like machine learning and generative AI that both highlights the Libraries' expertise and reduces redundancies in services offered across campus.
  • Identify the technologies and service model required for an innovative multimedia center in consultation with campus stakeholders.
  • Conduct a needs assessment in the areas of digital literacy and computational/data-intensive research methods for student support and identify trainings for librarians to meet student needs.

Related links