The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) started at Western Illinois University in 1989. An outgrowth of the population declines and economic stagnation during the early 1980s, it provides a comprehensive program of applied research, technical assistance, policy evaluation, and educational outreach to community leaders and residents in…

The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and private foundations, and invests in research and education to help rural communities meet the challenges of today's global society through a multidisciplinary network of university research and extension faculty, policy makers, and rural…

This document presents the strategic plan of Iowa's Board of Regents for the state's three institutions of higher education (and two special schools) for the next five years. Introductory information includes a statement of the document's purpose and overview, and the Board's mission statement, responsibilities statement, vision statement, and…

This document discusses the state of Indiana's Long Range Plan utilizing Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding. Six goals are outlined with objectives, status/needs statements, and funding activities. The goals include: (1) to increase the public's use of information technology by increasing electronic capabilities of libraries,…

This strategic technology plan for Virginia's public libraries presents current findings, recommendations, and the steps required to achieve universal access to electronic information. Introductory material includes lists of members of the Library of Virginia Board and Technology Plan Committee, an executive summary, and vision statement. The…

This monograph suggests that many of the fundamental aspects of the design and delivery of education are changing radically. At the same time, three forces are converging to destabilize educational institutions: a new generation of learners is rewriting the rules of service, technology is opening new frontiers, and a new breed of competitors is…

The New York State Child Care Coordinating Council recently released "Investing in New York. An Economic Analysis of the Early Care and Education Sector". This report is based on New York City specific information and data provided in their report and focuses on the economic impact of the early care and education sector in New York City.…

In collaboration with learning providers, the advanced education system, industry, communities, government agencies and non-governmental organizations, Advanced Education strives to create accessible, affordable and quality learning opportunities that are responsive to the ongoing learning needs of Albertans. The Ministry's 2005-08 Business Plan…

Describes reorganization at the University of Arizona Library that changed from a vertical organization to a horizontal organization. Highlights include focusing on customer needs; administration and staff organization; strategic long-range planning; decentralized decision making; principles of the learning organization; internal assessment plans;…

Addresses the topic of digital libraries from a planning perspective and examines policy issues. Discusses developing collections by providing access to remote files and/or creating a local collection; funding; considering what to digitize; copyright issues; storage costs; converting paper-based collections and catalogs; and reasons why to…

Describes the development of a community information network funded by LSCA (Library Services and Construction Act) Title III money, from the Illinois State Library to Millikin University (Decatur, IL). Highlights include a historical background; strategic planning; community planning for the network infrastructure, including hardware and software…

An institutionwide strategic planning effort at Central Michigan University, in response to a need for rapid and significant changes in its information technology infrastructure, is outlined. The effort resulted in a matrix governance structure for information technology that acknowledges the value of both distributed support and a strong central…

Describes the technology-rich American School in Tokyo, Japan, its equipment, and ways students are using the school's technology. Notes three lessons learned from working in a high-tech environment: (1) teachers must be enthusiastic about technology; (2) they must create a plan that copes with constant change; and (3) they must invest in computer…

Explains the status of educational technology in Cyprus in public schools and public and private higher education institutions. Topics include trends in higher education, including distance learning; and issues that need to be addressed for technology integration, including an inefficient bureaucracy, lack of strategic planning, and lack of…

A study investigated whether one medical school's basic science and clinical departments attached differential importance to academic missions of teaching, research, and clinical service. Data from departmental meetings, analyzed using nominal group technique, indicated departments expressed concern differently about administration, research,…