A 5-year strategic plan for the Harry Ransom center, a humanities research library and museum
Team: Thomas Wolf, Jane Culbert
The Harry Ransom Center (HRC) is an internationally renowned humanities research library and museum at The University of Texas at Austin. Its extensive collections provide unique insight into the creative process of writers and artists, deepening understanding and appreciation of literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts. Visitors engage with the Center’s collections through research and study, exhibitions, publications, and a rich variety of program offerings including readings, talks, symposia, and film screenings. A new Executive Director decided to engage the institution in a strategic planning process that would address a variety of issues including collection focus, exhibitions, relationship with the University, scholarship, and the building in which the bulk of the collections are housed. Of particular interest was the issue of how to handle author archives that are increasingly stored digitally rather than on paper. The final product included detailed financial scenarios as well as timelines for proposed actions.