Mission, vision, and values

Students walking past the circulation desk at Prim Library.

Our mission

In support of the University mission to advance teaching, research, student learning, and community engagement, the University Libraries embrace intellectual inquiry and innovation, nurture the production of new knowledge, and foster excellence in education through scholarly resources, active learning environments, cutting-edge technology, and exceptional service.

Our vision

The University Libraries aspire to be partners in the scholarly and creative achievements of students, faculty, and staff, leaders in the academic library community, and contributors in the University’s efforts to become nationally known for academic excellence and positive community impacts.

Informed by values

Team member working with a student in the Ansari Map Library.

Service

We provide excellent, proactive, user-centered services and a service environment, supported by continuous assessment, in which user satisfaction goals are shared by all library staff; operations and policy decisions are focused on the user; and staff are empowered to respond and solve problems to facilitate the attainment of user-centered objectives.

Engagement

We build meaningful, sustained connections with students, faculty, and the larger community in order to more deeply understand and more effectively respond to their needs. We bring enthusiasm and dedication to our work, and we give ourselves fully in service to our users.

Teamwork

We collaborate with other library staff in a collegial and respectful manner because we recognize that we can be more effective when we combine our strengths and work toward shared goals. We cultivate trust in each other, embrace the idea of disagreement with respect, value the contributions of all library staff, and strive to work together in a spirit of inquiry and openness.

Responsiveness to change

We respect standards and proven practices but recognize that technological, social, and professional changes will affect our operations. We stay abreast of recent developments and respond proactively to a changing world. Sometimes we are the change leaders.

Student checking out a anatomical model.

Diversity

We respect and appreciate the variety of beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds of the university community and foster an environment of understanding, respect and sensitivity in our services to the community. We provide a work environment of inclusion in which every member’s voice is valued and respected and actively seek opportunities to engage, communicate, collaborate, and advance our understanding and appreciation of differences.

Intellectual freedom

We embrace intellectual freedom as an essential element of learning, discovery, and engagement. We value the curiosity of all library users and provide services and resources to address all points of view.

Privacy

We recognize that privacy is vital to free speech, free thought, and the free pursuit of learning and research, and that libraries carry a special responsibility to protect the activities of library users from unwanted scrutiny or observation.