Strategic Directions: Part A
Mission
The UMD Library’s mission is to promote learning and research by providing information resources and services, up to date technologies, and knowledgeable staff in a welcoming environment.
Vision
The UMD Library is the intellectual center of the campus. We are integral partners in preparing students for success in life as information smart global citizens.
Core Values
These statements about the Library’s values guide us as we implement the Library’s mission and vision. *
We value learning
Therefore…
•we advocate freedom of information and open communication
•we are committed to intellectual freedom
•we respect intellectual property rights
•we develop and provide access to knowledge, information, and ideas
•we promote life-long learning
We value service excellence
Therefore…
•we are focused on our users
•we provide expert assistance and instruction
•we make effective and efficient use of our resources
•we strive for accuracy and timeliness
•we promote continuing staff development and growth
We value innovation
Therefore…
•we encourage creativity, initiative, and perseverance
•we are willing to take risks and demonstrate leadership
•we learn from the best practices of others
•we anticipate and plan for the changing information needs of our users
•we promote organizational flexibility
We value collaboration
Therefore…
•we work closely with students, faculty, and staff
•we foster collegiality and cooperation among our staff
•we work with other University units and faculty
•we cooperate with other libraries and educational institutions
•we partner with UM campus libraries and MINITEX
We value our community
Therefore…
•we value diversity and equity
•we advocate tolerance, mutual respect, and ethical behavior
•we are a resource for the community
•we are accountable to our stakeholders
•we preserve local history
We value the well-being of our users and staff
Therefore…
•we strive to maintain safe, clean, and ergonomically sound facilities for our users and staff
•we work to facilitate physical access to our units
•we work with other campus units to ensure the personal security of our users and staff
•we respect and protect privacy
•we support a fair and equitable distribution of work
•we recognize the need for continuing review, renewal, and training
•we foster camaraderie and strive for a high esprit-de-corps
* Adapted from University of British Columbia Library, “Furthering Learning and Research 2004: The University of British Columbia Library’s Strategic Plan,� University of British Columbia Library, http://www.library.ubc.ca/home/planning/UBC_SP_04-07_FA.PDF (accessed April 27, 2008).
Comments
Kudos on a great core values statement. It feels good to see that these are our values. I hope this goes on the website eventually.
Posted by: Rory Litwin | June 13, 2008 8:32 AM
I really like the format of the Core Values (core value followed by how we achieve the core value). Just a couple of comments:
1. Under the vision: "information smart global citizens" sounds strangely worded to me. Maybe change the sentence to read: "...preparing student for success as information literate citizens in the global environment."
2. Under "users and staff" (6th value)re: "units" (2nd bullet)...shouldn't it be more broad, such as "we work to facilitate physical and virtual access to the library? Also, can you clarify what "renewal" refers to under the 6th bullet?
And yeah! for respect and protection of privacy.
Posted by: Sunshine | June 23, 2008 11:35 AM
"information smart global citizens" was my favorite part, Sunshine! :)
I think we don't often enough hear about the importance of global citizenship.
Posted by: Rory Litwin | June 23, 2008 4:34 PM
I'm comfortable with the concepts and most of the wording in this Part A - with one exception. I'm concerned about who the audience is for this document, and how non-Library folks who are part of that audience may read the vision sentence.
"..the academic center of the campus" sounds exclusive and perhaps dismissive of the critically important roles played by teaching and research faculty across campus.
Posted by: Kyle Harriss | July 3, 2008 11:15 AM
Using hyphens in the phrases "information-smart global citizens" and "up-to-date technologies" might make these easier for people to understand as they read. Also, I think it would be better to say "The following value statements will guide us as we implement the Library's mission and vision." That will clarify that you are referring to what follows rather than what came before.
Posted by: Charlene Brown | July 3, 2008 3:31 PM