During times of unpredictable change it is crucial for the leadership to develop broad contacts with the user community in order to monitor emerging trends and to assess the many ways existing services impact on those users.

On the one hand, this includes full support of the existing committee structure, such as the Information Resource Council, and the Committee on Educational Policy and Planning (CEPP).

On the other hand, the College needs to strengthen its contacts outside of the immediate institutional walls. The College might create an Alumni Advisory Committee or a Trustee subcommittee of the its Long Range Planning Committee to engage in long term dialog about the ways that people are using information resources in the professional world and who Skidmore prepares its students for such employment.

Reed College has operated a similar advisory committee for several years. Its membership consists of interested parents, alumni and trustees -- most of whom work in various technology-related positions. They meet annually for one and a half days as part of the annual alumni weekend. During this time, Reed personnel both brief them on their electronic information plans and listen to their observations of future trends.