Objective 6.1: Support Education: "Support higher education in agriculture to give the next generation of Americans the knowledge, technology, and applications necessary to enhance the competitiveness of United States agriculture."

All of the activities relating to this objective are crosscutting in nature and reflected in the strategies and performance goals under the six ARS Goals.

Objective 6.2: National Agricultural Library: "Serve as the most significant agricultural information resource for the United States."

Means and Strategies: To successfully accomplish the activities under this initiative, ARS will need the level of human, fiscal, physical, and information resources portrayed in the budget estimates for fiscal years 2002 and 2003.

The proposed funding in FY 2003 includes $2,000,000 in budgeted program increases for agricultural information services.

Verification and Validation: ARS currently conducts a series of review processes designed to ensure the relevance and quality of its work. A more detailed description of the evaluation plans can be found in the introduction to this plan.

STRATEGY 6.2.1: Increase awareness and use of National Agricultural Library (NAL) products and services: Collect, organize, and provide access to information that supports agricultural programs and responds to information needs.

During FY 2002, NAL will

continue analyzing information center programs to ensure accurate focus and customer satisfaction.

continue to collect and combine data on reference and research information services and information centers.

During FY 2003,NAL will

analyze collected information on customers for improved customer service.

acquire and implement an automated document delivery system to track usage data.

During FY 2002, NAL will

continue to reduce turn-around times in serving customers by collecting data and incorporating results into customer service operations.

obtain digital resources identified in FY 2001 as needed for geographically remote customers and conduct related user education activities.

During FY 2003,NAL will

conduct studies to assess areas for implementation and change.

revise document delivery procedures in response to analysis of customer data.

investigate new opportunities for providing service through the information centers based on customer information needs and satisfaction.

During FY 2002, NAL will

continue to develop and improve its web-based information delivery systems, including the National Agricultural Library Digital Desktop Initiative.

identify system to expand direct patron access to items in NAL collection.

increase by thirty percent the total volume of services delivered to NAL customers.

During FY 2003,NAL will

continue to develop and expand the National Agricultural Library Digital Desktop Initiative.

conduct studies to assess areas for improvement and change.

purchase system to expand direct patron access to items in NAL collection.

increase easy access and availability of services delivered to NAL customers.

increase by 20 percent the total volume of services delivered to NAL customers.

In FY 2003, ARS is requesting an increase

During FY 2002, NAL will

complete indexing guidelines for use of the new thesaurus in AGRICOLA indexing.

map from CAB descriptors to the new thesaurus for subject heading conversion in AGRICOLA.

plan for the implementation of the new thesaurus to coincide with the installation of the new electronic library management system.

During FY 2003,NAL will

test, evaluate, and incorporate revisions to the thesaurus for indexing publications in AGRICOLA.

evaluate and incorporate revisions to the AGRICOLA indexing guidelines.

complete implementation of the new thesaurus in conjunction with the installation of the new electronic library management system.

During FY 2002, NAL will explore and develop collaborations which support inclusion of and access to non-English language materials in AgNIC.

During FY 2003,NAL will promote the development of an expanded, distributed database structure through the AgNIC alliance.

During FY 2002, NAL will

implement an innovative outreach program to improve library interaction with minority, disabled, and other under-served customers.

increase staff sensitivity and ability to serve minority, disabled, and other under-served customers.

expand library orientations and training for customers in under-represented groups.

During FY 2003,NAL will

continue to expand and improve outreach programs to under-served audiences.

evaluate programs and services developed and implemented in prior years for under-served audiences to determine whether program goals and objectives were met.

During FY 2002, NAL will

implement diversity program plan strategies to recruit and maintain minority candidates locally, regionally and nationally.

explore innovative approaches for funding NAL minority fellowship programs that provide career opportunities for librarians and information professionals from under-represented groups.

During FY 2003,NAL will establish a two-year fellow/scholar position.

STRATEGY 6.2.2: Strengthen National Agricultural Library Operations: Anticipate and provide information products and services, including educational programs, that enable NAL's diverse customers to identify, locate, and obtain desired information on agricultural topics.

During FY 2002, NAL will continue to make a transition from print to electronic access.

During FY 2003,NAL will

adopt and develop standard linking mechanisms for ensuring continued access to electronic resources from AGRICOLA.

continue retrospective conversion of collection records that are not yet represented in AGRICOLA.

During FY 2002, NAL will

complete conversion of the 5^th floor from office space to a "stack" and special collections floor.

occupy the renovated 5^th floor, thereby removing the most rare and fragile collection materials from the general stacks.

shift the entire collection as a result, making room for collection growth to last a projected fifteen years.

During FY 2003,NAL will continue to shift the collection, to make room for growth sufficient for a projected fifteen years.

During FY 2002, NAL will

remove the most valuable materials from the general stacks and place them in an area specially designed to provide higher security.

move special collections and other material collections to the newly renovated 5^th floor.

complete the conversion of the Agent Orange collection to a digital presentation on the web.

continue to ensure that security surrounding special collections is appropriate. In addition, security of the building will be readdressed to assess and correct areas of vulnerability.

During FY 2003,NAL will

develop a preservation policy document which includes traditional paper-based and digital preservation.

identify specific significant projects for digital preservation which will enhance delivery of information to users.

continue to seek ways of ensuring integrity, security, and environment of all NAL collections.

During FY 2002, NAL will increase the number of records in AGRICOLA by 75,000.

During FY 2003,NAL will increase the number of records in AGRICOLA by 65,000.

During FY 2002, NAL will continue the implementation of AGRICOLA as the database index to ARS digital publications.

During FY 2003,NAL will

increase links to full text electronic content in the AGRICOLA database.

ensure that more digitally preserved items are available to more remote users.

During FY 2002, NAL will

complete conversion of the 5^th floor from office space to a "stack" and special collections floor.

procure A&E services for office space, which is the next phase of the renovation.

continue to utilize R&M funds appropriated by Congress to upgrade/replace infrastructure projects.

During FY 2003,NAL will

construct and modernize the ground and first floor with Buildings and Facilities (B&F) funds.

continue to utilize Repair and Maintenance (R&M) funds appropriated by Congress to upgrade/replace infrastructure projects.

upgrade and modernize the plumbing system and tower bathrooms.

During FY 2002, NAL will implement life cycle tracking and upgrades for all NAL computer equipment.

During FY 2003,NAL will evaluate and monitor computer life cycle management.

During FY 2002, NAL will continue to evaluate and implement security measures as needed.

During FY 2003,NAL will continue to evaluate and implement security measures as needed.

During FY 2002, NAL will

procure an electronic library management system.

develop system migration plans from Virginia Tech Library Systems (VTLS) to a new electronic library management system.

implement a new electronic library management system to provide a state-of-the-art online catalog.

During FY 2003,NAL will continue to implement the electronic library management system to provide a state-of-the-art online catalog and maximum access to NAL collections and services.

During FY 2002, NAL will

continue to seek opportunities to streamline administrative services.

implement improved disaster preparedness policies and procedures.

During FY 2003,NAL will continue to refine disaster preparedness policies and procedures.

During FY 2002, NAL will continue expansion of Intranet functionalities.

During FY 2003,NAL will continue expansion of Intranet functionalities.

During FY 2002, NAL will ensure that each staff member receives adequate training to support his or her function. Staff members will also be given career enhancement opportunities such as details, shadowing assignments, and agency leadership development programs.

During FY 2003,NAL will ensure that each staff member receives adequate training to support his or her function. Staff members will also be given career enhancement opportunities such as details, shadowing assignments, and agency leadership development programs.

During FY 2002, NAL will

begin implementation of detailed staff succession plan.

provide opportunities for employees to gain leadership experience through acting, detail, and shadowing assignments as well as attending management meetings whenever possible.

During FY 2003,NAL will

continue implementation of detailed staff succession plan.

provide opportunities for employees to gain leadership experience through acting, detail, and shadowing assignments as well as attending management meetings whenever possible.

OBJECTIVE 6.3: Creative leadership: "Promote excellence, relevance, and recognition of agricultural research through creative leadership in management and development of resources, communications systems, and partnerships with our customers and stakeholders."

STRATEGY 6.3.1: Develop research agenda: IdentifyARS program priorities and core research capabilities and use them to provide leadership in developing national research agendas.

During FY 2002, ARS will convene a number of programmatic workshops and conferences to ensure continuing customer/stakeholder input into the ARS research agenda.

During FY 2003,ARS will convene a number of programmatic workshops and conferences to ensure continuing customer/stakeholder input into the ARS research agenda.

STRATEGY 6.3.2: Civil rights: The ARS Civil Rights Staff (CRS) recognizes that systematic communication is important as a means of ensuring that its services meet the expectations and needs of its customers and stakeholders, including managers, supervisors, and employees.

During FY 2002, ARS will monitor results of meetings for effectiveness.

During FY 2003,ARS will continue to monitor results of various informational meetings and recruitment activities organized and/or attended by the public and USDA employees to ensure that programs and opportunities are made available in the area of agricultural research.

During FY 2002, ARS will monitor both web pages for effectiveness and updates.

During FY 2003,ARS will

continue to monitor both web pages and hire a web page specialist for continuous improvements and design.

pursue an aggressive program of facilitated training to ensure all employees are aware of applicable Federal laws, regulations, and guidelines related to the employment and treatment of our workforce.

During FY 2002, ARS will monitor the results of the implementation activities to ensure that all have been implemented.

During FY 2003,ARS will

continue to monitor the results of the implementation activities to ensure that all have been implemented.

institutionalize equal opportunity, equity, and diversity in all that is done. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities will be integrated into all occupational groups, grade levels, and organizational units; hold significant project, program, and senior management positions; and be in the pool of outstanding talent from which candidates are selected.

During FY 2002, ARS will evaluate the system to determine its effectiveness.

During FY 2003,ARS will

analyze workforce profiles, and identify problems and barriers to upward mobility for minorities and women.

analyze the informal and formal complaints to identify systemic, reoccurring areas, and hold appropriate personnel accountable for correcting and changing behaviors.

STRATEGY 6.3.3: Management of facilities: Provide appropriately equipped Federal facilities required to support the research and information activities of ARS into the next century.

During FY 2002, ARS will continue its construction, modernization, and repair and maintenance program by updating the ARS facilities modernization plan and requested funding for construction, modernization, and repair and maintenance needs.

In FY 2002, ARS received

During FY 2003,ARS will continue its construction, modernization, and repair and maintenance programs by updating the ARS facilities modernization plan and requesting funding for construction, modernization, and repair and maintenance needs.

During FY 2002, ARS will identify facilities to be modernized and constructed in accordance with mission priorities. These projects will be forwarded to the Department for B&F funding consideration.

During FY 2003,ARS willidentify facilities to be modernized and constructed in accordance with mission priorities. These projects will be forwarded to the Department for B&F funding consideration.

STRATEGY 6.3.4: Maintenance of core research capabilities: Develop and implement comprehensive human resource systems and other administrative and financial support systems and policies to support and enhance ARS• core research capabilities while maintaining the flexibility to shift research and form interdisciplinary teams to address emerging problems.

During FY 2002, ARS will continue to conduct consolidated scientists recruitment and provide orientation and training for scientists and research leaders.

During FY 2003,ARS will continue to conduct consolidated scientists recruitment and provide orientation and training for scientists and research leaders.

During FY 2002, ARS will continue its Research Associate Program as a source of qualified candidates for its permanent research positions.

During FY 2003,ARS will continue its Research Associate Program as a source of qualified candidates for its permanent research positions.

STRATEGY 6.3.5: Provide administrative support to REE: Serve as the lead agency in providing administrative and financial management services for Research, Education, and Economics (REE) headquarters and field locations.

During FY 2002, ARS will continue to review the need for revisions to the AFM Strategic Plan and seek customer, employee, and stakeholder input to the planning process.

During FY 2003,ARS will continue to review the need for revisions to the AFM Strategic Plan and seek customer, employee, and stakeholder input to the planning process.

During FY 2002, ARS will continue to implement the revised Strategic Plan reflecting the priorities of REE customers and employees.

During FY 2003,ARS will continue to implement the revised Strategic Plan reflecting the priorities of REE customers and employees.

During FY 2002, ARS will conduct written customer service surveys, meet regularly with REE agency administrators, conduct customer focus group sessions, and solicit customer feedback through the AFM Web site.

During FY 2003,ARS will conduct written customer service surveys, meet regularly with REE agency administrators, conduct customer focus group sessions, and solicit customer feedback through the AFM Web site.

STRATEGY 6.3.6: Program Excellence and Relevance: Ensure excellence and relevance to ARS National Programs through peer reviews of research projects.

During FY 2002, ARS will panel peer review approximately 250 research projects.

During FY 2003,ARS will panel peer review approximately 250 research projects.

During FY 2002, ARS will conduct RPES reviews of approximately 370 agency scientists.

During FY 2003,ARS will conduct approximately 390 RPES reviews of research scientists.

STRATEGY 6.3.7: Improve financial management: ARS/Administrative and Financial Management will support Departmental efforts to improve financial management.

During FY 2002, ARS will

continue to work with the OCFO on the design and modification of the FFIS for use by REE.

continue to work with the NFC on implementing new and modernized financial systems for the REE agencies.

During FY 2003,ARS will

continue to work with the OCFO on the design and modification of the FFIS for use by REE.

continue to work with the NFC on implementing new and modernized financial systems for the REE agencies.

During FY 2002, ARS will continue compliance with the FMFIA, including the timely completion of audit report recommendations and the timely correction of any FMFIA weaknesses that are identified.

During FY 2003,ARS will continue compliance with the FMFIA, including the timely completion of audit report recommendations and the timely correction of any FMFIA weaknesses that are identified.

During FY 2002, ARS willprepare, review, and certify the yearly consolidated financial statements of the REE agencies as required under the Chief Financial Officer•s Act.

During FY 2003,ARS willprepare, review, and certify the yearly consolidated financial statements of the REE agencies as required under the Chief Financial Officer•s Act.

STRATEGY 6.3.8: Outreach: ARS will bring the benefits of research to under-served populations, identify barriers that prevent under-served populations from receiving and using agency-generated knowledge/technology, and increase participation of under-represented groups in agency procurement contracts.

Task completed in FY 2000.

Task completed in November 2000.

During FY 2002, ARS will undertake or participate in specific outreach activities.

During FY 2003, ARS will undertake or participate in specific outreach activities.

Baseline data for extramural agreements, Memoranda of Understanding, and Letters of Agreement with organizations serving historically under-served populations was established and reported in FY 2000.

Task completed in FY 2001.

During FY 2002, ARS will demonstrate efforts to enhance participation of under-served groups in program activities.

During FY 2003,ARS willdemonstrate efforts to enhance participation of under-served groups in program activities.

During FY 2002, ARS will demonstrate increased activities in these areas.

During FY 2003,ARS will demonstrate increased activities in these areas.

Task completed in FY 2000.

During FY 2002, ARS will continue to make ARS generated information more accessible to organizations serving under-served populations.

During FY 2003, ARS will continue to make ARS generated information more accessible to organizations serving under-served populations.

During FY 2002, ARS will continue the effort to involve historically under-served students in agriculture and food service.

During FY 2003,ARS will continue the effort to involve historically under-served students in agriculture and food service.

During FY 2002, ARS will continue to work with educational and community organizations to get information to under-served populations.

During FY 2003, ARS will continue to work with educational and community organizations to get information to under-served populations.