Strategic Alignment at the University of Manchester Library: Ambitions, Transitions, and New Values

Abstract

The University of Manchester Library (UML) is embarking on an ambitious new strategy that aims to align the library more closely to the work of the University—to contribute to the University's strategic success. This article describes elements of the strategy development and content, focusing on methods used; how the service has worked collaboratively both internally and externally, and how senior managers have supported resource, skill, and knowledge challenges. The role of the middle manager is explored in detail in terms of its importance to successful strategy implementation, and parallels are drawn between UML's senior and operational requirements.

KEYWORDS:

• strategy
• library staff development
• collaboration
• leadership
• management

Notes

This article is informed by interviews conducted with staff in the UML leadership team. Interviews were conducted in May and June 2013. The Head of Special Collections is Rachel Beckett, the University Librarian is Jan Wilkinson, and the Head of Teaching Learning, and Students is Katy Wolfenden.