Two American experts, Dr. Camila Alire, Dean Emeritus at Colorado State University and New Mexico University, and Mr. Haipeng Li, University Librarian at the University of California at Merced, visited the SUSTech campus from March 6th to March 9th, helping the library to develop a three-year strategic plan.

This plan was divided into four components in the first stage of this project.

– First, a student survey was conducted over the course of two weeks. The library received over 1,600 responses (more than 60% of all SUSTech students).

– Second, the experts interviewed the university leadership, finding out what the university’s demands and expectations of the library are in the long run.

– Third, focus group sessions with faculty members and graduates were organized, to collect opinions directly from the target audience.

– Finally, discussion meetings with library staff were organized, focusing on what the library team should do to build a world class academic library here at SUSTech.

The project will be completed in two stages. Stage one is focused on data collection and analysis. Based on the results of stage one, stage two will be focusing on strategic planning. By early June of this year, a report detailing the three-year plan will be completed, which will show directions for the development of the SUSTech Library for years 2017-2020 with specific goals and actions for each year.