The University of Iowa Law Library has launched its first-ever, multi-stakeholder strategic planning process to ensure our actions continue to align with our mission and guiding vision. The theme of this 5-year strategic plan is Broadening Our Impact.

As the only law library among the Board of Regents' institutions, the Law Library plays an important role in the research and teaching that occur at the University of Iowa and beyond, and also as a resource for Iowa attorneys, judges, and members of the public. Additionally, as one of the largest law libraries in the country, the Law Library stewards increasingly valuable and rare collections that it must both preserve and make accessible. For all these reasons, the communities we serve and the partnerships we build must know who we are and what we do.

As we engage in strategic planning, we will seek feedback from some of our many users on existing strengths and areas for potential growth within the frameworks of community, collections, and communication.

Strategic Planning Framework

Four students studying at a table on the second floor of the Law Library

Community

Student in the Law Library stacks with a book

Collections

A student receiving assistance at the Law Library circulation desk

Communication

Strategic Planning Timeline

  • September

    Strategic Planning Overview & Surveys

    Surveys open for College of Law faculty and affiliated University of Iowa faculty; Law Library staff; and College of Law staff.

    Overviews of the process provided at the Sept. 12 Faculty Meeting; the Sept. 18 Law Library Staff Meeting; and the Sept. 24 College of Law Staff Town Hall.

  • Early October

    Partner Outreach, Student Surveys, & Focus Groups

    Surveys open for College of Law students, non-law students enrolled in College of Law courses or whose work involves legal research, and School of Library & Information Science students.

    Outreach to Office of Community Engagement, State Library of Iowa, and the Access to Justice Commission.

    Focus groups of students, faculty, and staff.

     

  • Late October

    Analyze Results and Draft Plan

    Analyze survey responses and focus-group feedback.

    Draft strategic plan.

     

  • November

    Feedback on Draft

    Provide the draft strategic plan to College of Law faculty and Law Library staff for feedback.

    Incorporate feedback into plan.

  • Icon of a document with a check mark
    December

    Strategic Plan Complete

  • Megaphone icon
    Beginning Spring 2025

    Communication & Implementation