SWOT Analysis for the University Library

SWOT AnalysisRelates to Objective
Strengths 
The Library has a strong profile in the University, recognising quality of service and sound and effective management SO6, SO8, SO10, SO15, EO5
Plans to develop the Team Valley Research Repository and to repurpose library space have received strong institutional support SO3, SO12, EO3
It has a well established reputation for excellence in customer services, validated by Customer Service Excellence awards and Times Higher Award SO4, EO1
There has been positive feedback from international students in ISB results over several years SO14, EO1
Support for information literacy and research skills is effective and well-received by Schools and Institutes SO5, SO6, SO9, SO17
The Team Valley Store has capacity to accommodate large quantities for lesser-used print books and journals SO1, SO7
The Library has an extremely good portfolio of e-journals and a growing collection of e-books, with high levels of satisfaction from students and researchers SO1, SO7, EO5
There is a well developed e-print repository, with sector-leading integration with the institutional research database in the form of MyImpact SO10
Highly-motivated staff have a strong commitment to developing their and others' knowledge and skills, endorsed by IIP awards EO4
The Library has the lowest relative staff costs amongst its comparators EO4, EO5
It has developed effective working relationships with key partners, including ISS, ESS, QuILT and URO SO3, SO10, SO15, EO8
Weaknesses  
Due to extent of collections and intensive use of study facilities, there is a lack of additional space for the development of new learning spaces and services SO3, SO12, SO16, EO3
The Robinson Library has an ageing infrastructure (mechanical and electrical) and other facilities (e.g. toilets) which are in need of renewal SO3, SO12, SO16, EO3
The provision of study facilities in vacations compares unfavourably with other institutions in the region SO4, EO1
Lower levels of satisfaction with text book provision has been expressed by taught students in several Schools SO1, SO2
Lack of experience in developing overseas operations, funding and staff resource capacity to meet planned growth in these areas SO14
Recent NSS results have shown a decline in satisfaction with access to IT facilities (including those in the Library) which needs to be remediated SO3, SO4, EO3
Eprints repository is not as visible as it ought to be given the increased interest in open access to the University's research outputs SO10
Opportunities  
New e-resources, particularly e-books with new licensing/purchase arrangements, are becoming increasingly available SO1, SO2, SO7, EO5
The accelerating development of open access publishing offers opportunities for new models of scholarly publication in a traditionally high-cost environment SO7, SO10
Research funders are increasingly interested in data management, preservation and re-use of research data SO11
The UK Research Reserve programme enables coordinated deduplication of print journals SO7, EO3
Opportunities for collaboration offer benefits for procurement and service development with partners in various groups (eg RLUK, Northern Collaboration) EO5, EO8
In-house digitisation services offer greater exposure and use of special collections and archives SO13, SO16
New staffing arrangements in the Print Room enable development of an effective printing service to the University EO8
Threats  
Increased expectations from students for resources and services in an environment of increased fees SO1, SO3, SO4, EO1
Increased volatility and unpredictability of student numbers, with implications for medium and long-term resource planning SO1, SO3, EO5
The economic recession driving down resource allocation and library funding, including bequest income, impacting on the maintenance and development of collections and services SO1, SO7, EO5
Investment in technology has continuing maintenance and replacement costs SO3, EO7
Volatility in costs of print and electronic resources limiting capacity for investment in new resources SO1, SO7, EO5
Publishers seeking to protect income and remaining intransigent in defence of “big deal” arrangements for e-content SO7, EO5