SUMMARY, MISSION, VISION and VALUES

Summary

The Memorial University Folklore and Language Archive (MUNFLA) Strategic plan is a document devised to help create policies and actions that will successfully guide the development of MUNFLA for the 2022-2027 period. MUNFLA’s Strategic Plan aligns with Memorial University’s own plan, Transforming Our Horizons. That document identifies five strategic themes through which Memorial students, faculty, and staff can help shape the future of our province and people: Proactive Programs, Inspired Learning, Dynamic Research, Commitment to Communities, and Promotion and Pride. This document outlines suggested strategies and activities for creating such an environment within MUNFLA.

Mission

To facilitate research on Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) culture and to select, preserve and make available research materials in support of the teaching, research and service interests of the Department of Folklore, Memorial University, other outside researchers, and members of the general public interested in Folklore and Heritage.

Vision

As Newfoundland and Labrador’s only university, Memorial has a special historical responsibility to its people; MUNFLA, through preserving and making available its heritage-based collections, will help the university fulfill its obligation to be a place of critical inquiry, learning, and discovery for the people of the province.

Values

MUNFLA strives to be an inclusive, supportive environment where dedicated, collaborative work efforts align to serve the needs of all researchers, interested visitors, and personnel. These values will guide decisions. 3 Guided by our Mission, Vision, Values and the University’s strategic plan, our goals for the next five years include:

1) PROACTIVE PROGRAMS

Actively engage with student-based experiential learning programs such as MUCEP (Memorial Undergraduate Career Experience Program) and SWASP (Student Work and Service Program) in addition to providing lifelong learning opportunities to volunteers. Opportunities to combine applied knowledge with independent hands-on work in arranging, describing, and digitizing original archival collections as part of these learning programs creates an environment for inquiry, critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity.

Objective 1.1 Reduce the volume of unprocessed/uncatalogued (backlog) collections by providing appropriate training as part of experiential learning programs.

Objective 1.2 Expand digitization of collections while protecting original source materials; training provided via proactive programming.

2) INSPIRED LEARNING

In research and teaching, provide support to the Department of Folklore and other Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) units and students, in addition to the service needs of the Memorial University community, and province, at large.

Objective 2.1 Facilitate access to professional quality AV technologies, supporting the curricular needs of graduate students participating in field school or other community-based engagement opportunities. Such opportunities allow students to develop dynamic skills and put academic knowledge into practice.

Objective 2.2 Secure adequate, centralized server space to allow both improved integrated in-house databases for on-site research and flexible ease of access to digitized assets from home or abroad. 4 Objective 2.3 In support of faculty and learning outcomes, implement the use of archival material into course curricula.

3) DYNAMIC RESEARCH

Provide opportunity for the creation of interdisciplinary connections to foster and support collaborative research endeavours, particularly research grant investigations, with global reach and local relevance around such themes as culture and heritage.

Objective 3.1 Improve the searchability and dissemination of collection descriptions and various finding aids through an expanded online public access catalogue (OPAC).

Objective 3.2 Upgrade research infrastructure as necessary to digitize and facilitate access to MUNFLA’s collections.

4) COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITIES

Nurture mutually beneficial community-based experiential learning and research opportunities through public outreach; connecting with communities is intertwined with Memorial’s historical responsibility and service to the province.

Objective 4.1 Preserve and protect the unique cultural resources entrusted to MUNFLA’s care. This requires a proper environmentally controlled storage space with adequate room for growth and a sufficient budget to support the purchase of necessary preservation supplies.

Objective 4.2 In collaboration with Memorial University’s Indigenous Archivist, work to identify Indigenous collections and decolonize MUNFLA.

Objective 4.3 With assistance from the University’s Alumni Engagement and Office of Development, improve the internal and external base of support for MUNFLA via the creation of active programs (exhibits, workshops, visiting scholars and lectures) related to the Archive’s holdings.

5) PROMOTION AND PRIDE

Foster an environment where all can take pride in our work as individuals, create fruitful connections, and develop meaningful relationships as we seek to promote the cultural value of MUNFLA as part of the Memorial University brand.

Objective 5.1 In conjunction with the HSS Dean’s Office, work to improve staffing at MUNFLA in order to counter the negative effects of stress due to understaffing; increased staffing would allow existing personnel the opportunity to take pride in their work.

Objective 5.2 Advance the profile and value of MUNFLA’s unique collections by engaging with the community through various social media campaigns and other media outlets.

Objective 5.3 Share achievements and successes of staff and students through effective communication.

Objective 5.4 Demonstrate the value of MUNFLA and its collections to Memorial University administration and the province