A library for our third century: Imagine2030 launches
02 Dec 2020
Imagine2030 is our Library’s vision and priorities for the next ten years
In redefining the role and purpose of our Library, it engages our many communities of researchers, students, staff, public visitors and our civic, national and international partners in a transformative body of work.
Imagine2030 is our Library’s response and contribution to the University’s new strategic plan, Our future, and recognises the Library’s ambition to play a critical role in supporting the University’s core goals of Research and Discovery, Teaching and Learning and Social Responsibility.
Patrick Hackett, Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, said “The University of Manchester is proud to be the home to one of the great libraries of the world. The Library plays an essential role in our world-class research environment, in the lives and academic success of our students and in our wider social role across Greater Manchester. The University has invested in the UK’s largest digital collections and in an unparalleled variety of inspiring spaces. Imagine2030 will build on these achievements and ensure that Manchester’s library provision remains sector-leading.”
The vision has been shared with University leaders and partners within the sector who agree it is an exciting and ambitious agenda.
Dr David Prosser, Executive Director of Research Libraries UK, said "Manchester is one of the world's great research libraries, with superb collections and services that enable worldwide academic endeavour. This ambitious strategy will ensure that Manchester builds upon current strengths and develops new ways to support and shape scholarship as we move further into the 21st century."
Professor Christopher Pressler, John Rylands University Librarian and Director of The University of Manchester Library, said “Imagine2030 is one of the most significant bodies of activity undertaken by The University of Manchester Library in its long history. As The University of Manchester moves into its third century during the course of Imagine2030, the University will reimagine and confirm its status as the home of one of the world’s great libraries."
Over the next few months our Library’s Executive and Leadership Teams will agree which schemes of work will take precedence within each lead priority area. Some of these are already in progress, e.g. The University of Manchester Office for Open Research, The John Rylands Research Institute and Library and Manchester Digital Collections, and staff across Library Directorates will work collaboratively to develop a new operational plan to support Imagine2030. This will include a published annual review to evaluate the benefits, celebrate success and agree next priorities.
If you have any thoughts on what Imagine2030 might mean for your own engagement with the Library and the way you work with colleagues across and beyond our University, please get in touch.