Stony Brook University Library Strategic Design 2015 - 2018, Global Library Initiatives

The mission of the Stony Brook University Libraries’ Global Initiatives is to strengthen international ties among libraries and librarians worldwide for the promotion of international education, understanding, and peace. We strive to promote student and faculty achievement and preparation for global competitiveness in collaboration with Stony Brook University academic and clinical centers abroad. 

In support of the Stony Brook University’s global mission, the University Libraries designed a suite of services and expertise to facilitate and strengthen the work of SBU faculty and students abroad. The Office of Global Library Initiatives provides leadership, creativity, and vision in enhancing and developing the Library’s critical role in the success of SBU faculty and students.

Promote Academic Engagement

Increase the participation of Library faculty as partners in teaching and research, applying library and information science principles to address global challenges.

• The Office of Global Library Initiatives initiates and facilitates relationships with other research libraries and information centers abroad to allow SBU researchers and students access to research material during extended stays in other countries
• Develop relationships with research library staff of international libraries to provide orientation and research support for SBU faculty and students;
• Cultivate information exchange and visiting/exchange scholars program;
• Develop relationships with research libraries that support the global mission of SBU and initiates sustaining international collaborations;
• Work closely with academic and clinical departments and the office of International Academic Programs and Services to identify international initiatives, programs, and activities in order to focus the Library’s efforts to the areas that are most critical to SBU success.

Build, Preserve, and Provide Access to Rich and Diverse Collections

Broaden global availability of scholarly information through support for open access initiatives, new modes of publishing, and high-quality networked information resources for SBU faculty and students and the broader global community.

• Develop public domain digital resources relevant to global initiative and programs and establish information centers with digital library presence in countries where SBU has clinical and academic centers;
• Design a suite of services and expertise to facilitate and strengthen the work of SBU faculty and students abroad;
• Examples of such services and expertise are/but not limited to 
  • Developing electronic and public domain digital resources relevant to the programs that enhance digital library presence. 

Develop Responsive Library Spaces for Diverse User Communities

Contribute to international information literacy, learning spaces, and scholarly communications strategies.

• Facilitate relationships with other research libraries and information centers to allow SBU researchers and students access to research material during extended stays in other countries;
• Establish information centers with digital library presence in countries where SBU has clinical centers.

Foster an Innovative Culture of Learning and Assessment

Contribute to the Libraries’ ability to meet the research and learning needs of the University by supporting campus-wide global initiatives.

• Collaborate with universities and libraries abroad to host visiting scholars;
• Host lecture series with visiting scholars and SBU faculty that inspire learning, research and scholarly inquiry in an environment dedicated to the open exchange of ideas and information with the Stony Brook University regional and global communities.