Creating a Library

ELIZABETH MILLER & ABDUL ALNEMARINOV 12. 2014

Photo source: http://www.questpcs.com/evangelicalcatholicchurch/missionstatement.htm

Mission Statement Definition.

● Mission statement is “a business's guiding principles that state what the company's goals are, what their values are, and where they are headed. It defines the company's overall plan in a succinct and interesting manner with a tone that reflects the business itself.”

Hamida Begum, Academic Library Mission Statement: Indispensable Viewpoints.Photo source: http://www.yumahs.yumaunion.org/index.cfm?pID=529

Library Mission Statement

● The ALA Glossary of Library and Information Science defines a mission statement as “A formal and succinct statement that summarizes the purpose of a particular library. For instance, the target group, collection development focus, and information services provided by a library.”

● ASLA defines mission statement as “if we, in libraries, do not have a good grasp of our purpose, audience and what we are trying to achieve we will experience enormous difficulties in being successful. Thus mission statement gives library teams a shared understanding of their destination so that they can plan exciting journeys together."

ALA Glossary of Library and Information ScienceHamida Begum, Academic Library Mission Statement: Indispensable Viewpoints.Photo source: http://www.hondawellness.com/navigation/about-dw/our-mission-3/

Library Mission Statement

● The mission statement may justify and explain library activities that might be questioned by other parts of the institution, such as a law school's faculty or dean.

● If used when making library decisions, mission statements can serve as road maps to consistent and principled action.

Kelsh, Virginia J. The Law Library Mission Statement.Photo source: http://www.better-fundraising-ideas.com/sample-mission-statements.html

Why Mission Statement?● Mission statements articulate the goals, visions, values, and

strategic behavior of the institution or organization

● "[a]n organizational mission statement—one thattruly reflects the deep shared vision and values of everyone within that organization—creates a great unity and tremendous commitment. It creates in people's hearts and minds a frame of reference, a set of criteria or guidelines, by which they will govern themselves.“

Kelsh, Virginia J. The Law Library Mission Statement.

Mission Statement and Vision Statement:● Vision and mission statements are closely related, but they are not the same.● The library’s mission statement should state what it is, and why. Is should answer

the questions, what does your library do, and why does it do it?● A library’s vision statement should focus on where the library is going, and what

it hopes to achieve.● the mission statement lays out the organization’s “purpose for being”● the vision statement says, “based on that purpose, this is what we want to

become.”

Wallace, Linda K. Libraries, Mission & Marketing: Writing Mission Statements That Work.Principles of Management: Developing Mission, Vision, and Values; Aligning Goals and Objectives,<https://new.edu/resources/developing-mission-vision-and-values>

Principles of Management: Developing Mission, Vision, and Values; Aligning Goals and Objectives,<https://new.edu/resources/developing-mission-vision-and-values>

Principles of Management: Developing Mission, Vision, and Values; Aligning Goals and Objectives,<https://new.edu/resources/developing-mission-vision-and-values>

Collection Development Statement:● Mission statement helps to create a

collection development statement.

● Collection development policies are written statements of goals and evaluative parameters to guide decision-making when adding material to a library collection.

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Lastres, Steven A. Collection Development In The Age Of The Virtual Law Firm Library.Photo source: http://parade.com/280092/linzlowe/the-10-most-challenged-books-of-2013-number-one-may-surprise-you

Public Library Mission Statement

● The focus of the mission statement is on the output of the public library-user-oriented services which meet certain needs of citizens and society as only the public library can meet them.

Mission Statement For Public Libraries, American LibrariesPhoto source: http://cutcaster.com/vector/100500625-Public-library/

Mission Statements for Public Libraries: An Example

One example of a mission statement for a public library is from the Chicago Public Library:

“ We welcome and support all people in their enjoyment of reading and lifelong learning. Working together, we strive to provide equal access to information, ideas and knowledge through books, programs and other resources. We believe in the freedom to read, to learn, to discover.”

Chicago Public Library, “About Us,” http://www.chipublib.org/about-us/ (accessed November 10, 2014).

Academic Library

● Academic libraries exist to support pursuits for academic success and faculty endeavors for the creation of knowledge.

● The mission statement is the reflection of a particular academic library staff’s shared values and committed activities, the guiding beacon to where that library wants to be positioned in the academic library profession.

● The library seeks to incorporate within the mission statement enabling or supporting documentation of values, vision and behavior that helps the institution accomplish the statement's goals.

Hamida Begum, Academic Library Mission Statement: Indispensable Viewpoints.

Academic Library● The academic library staff should refer

to the mission statement when:

- Creating procedural manuals.- Formulating library policy. - Constructing new facilities of

renovating current ones.- Creating new programs and services.- Drafting annual library priorities.- Marketing library services to others.

Hamida Begum, Academic Library Mission Statement: Indispensable Viewpoints.Photo source: http://www.lib.utah.edu/info/other-libraries.php

Mission Statements for Academic Libraries: An Example

One example of a mission statement for an academic library is from the University of Chicago Library:

“The Library's mission is to provide comprehensive resources and services in support of the research, teaching, and learning needs of the University community. To fulfill this mission, the Library commits to:

● Understand the research, teaching, and learning needs of its users;● Build collections and create tools to support research, teaching, and learning;● Provide access to and promote the discovery and use of local and external information resources;● Ensure the preservation and long-lasting availability of Library collections and resources;● Create hospitable physical and virtual environments for study, teaching, and research;● Collaborate with other members of the University to enrich the research and learning community;● Advance local, national, and international library and information initiatives;● Develop, encourage, and sustain expertise, skill, commitment and an innovative spirit in its staff.”

University of Chicago, “Library Mission, Vision, and Values,” http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/about/mvv.html (accessed November 4, 2014).

School Library Mission StatementAccording to an article by Mary Keeling, Mission Statements: Rhetoric, Reality, or Road Map to Success?, “mission statements in K-12 education reflect community priorities and typically include themes of cognitive, social, and civic development.”

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions defines a school library’s mission as:

“The school library offers learning services, books and resources that enable all members of the school community to become critical thinkers and effective users of information in all formats and media.”

Keeling, Mary. “Mission Statements: Rhetoric, Reality, or Road Map to Success?” Knowledge Quest 42: 30-36.International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, “ School Libraries and Resource Centers Section” in the IFLA/UNESCO School Library Manifesto. http://archive.ifla.org/VII/s11/pubs/manifest.htm (accessed November 11,2014)

Mission Statements for School Libraries: An Example

One example of a mission statement for a school library is from the Traverse City Central High School Library :

“ The mission of the Traverse City Central High School library media program is to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information. In support of that mission, our objective is to team with teachers to facilitate student learning”

Traverse City Central High School, “Library Media Center,” http://www.tcaps.net/Departments/LibraryMediaCenter/tabid/1149/Default.aspx (accessed November 10, 2014).

Special Libraries

● Provides Information for practical reasons and values this over instruction.

● These libraries are often associated with other organizations, and are useful to the organization.

● Provide “Knowledge Services” and “Content Management Services” according to Richard E. Rubin, author of Foundations of Library and Information Sciences.

Rubin, Richard E., Foundations of Library and Information Science, 3rd ed. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2010.

Mission Statements for Special Libraries: An Example

One example of a mission statement for a special library is from the Field Museum Library :

“ The Field Museum Library is committed to supporting the Museum’s mission as an educational and research institution concerned with diversity and relationships in nature and among cultures. We seek to provide convenient and effective access to quality library services, research collections and information resources to meet the scientific, professional, and creative needs of the research and educational communities.”

The Field Museum, “History of the Library” http://www.fieldmuseum.org/science/research/area/libraryarchives/history-library (accessed November 4, 2014).

The Importance of Mission Statements

● Planning- Collection Development- Creation of Policies and Procedures

● Marketing- Creating Merchandise- Creating a slogan

● Supporting Staff Morale

Wallace, Linda K. Libraries, Mission, and Marketing: Writing Mission Statements that Work. Chicago: American Library Association, 2004. Photo source: http://www.thegrowthcoachhouston.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Mission-St-Sign-041812-150x150.jpg

Starting the Process: Developing a Mission Statement

● Work with the community to learn what is important.

● Decide on the focus of the organization

● What ideas will assist with future planning, communication, and marketing

Work Group for Community Health and Development, “Section 2. Proclaiming Your Dream: Developing Vision and Mission Statement” In the Community Tool Box: Developing a Strategic Plan and Organization Structure: Chapter 8 Developing a Strategic Plan. University of Kansas, http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/structure/strategic-planning/vision-mission-statements/main (accessed November 3, 2014).

Developing a Library Mission Statement

According to Linda Wallace, author of Libraries, Mission, and Marketing: Writing Mission Statements That Work, writers should keep three points in mind:

1. A mission statement should serve as a guide and inspiration to the library

2. Define what contributions make the library special

3. The statement should “be easy to read, say, and remember”

These elements will make the mission statement a useful tool in planning, team building, communication, and marketing.

Wallace, Linda K. Libraries, Mission, and Marketing: Writing Mission Statements that Work. Chicago: American Library Association, 2004.

Considerations During the Drafting Process

According to Hamida Bergum, author of “Academic Library Mission Statement Indispensable Viewpoints,” the drafting of a mission statement should be a group effort and the team should consider the following:

- The “statement should be a broad, philosophical statement of the purpose of the library, specifying the fundamental reason for its existence

- The statement should be brief and clear. It should be as short as possible- think one sentence.- It should be achievable- It should be something the staff can support and should inspire the organization- If the library is part of a larger organization (like a school library) consult the institution's mission

statement - Stay clear of jargon- Keep the language proactive - Be prepared to revise and update this statement

Hamida Bergum, “Academic Library Mission Statement Indispensable Viewpoints,” p. 31.

Brainstorming SessionsLinda Wallace, in her work Libraries, Mission, and Marketing: Writing Mission Statements That Work, suggests using some of the following questions to get started:

● “What three qualities or characteristics come to mind when you think about the library?

● Whom does the library serve?● What is its primary focus or contribution?● Who needs to hear this message (internal and

external audiences)?● How does it fulfill its mission?”

Another fun resource for development is Wordle. Wordle allows you to create a picture using words.

www.wordle.net

Wallace, Linda K. Libraries, Mission, and Marketing: Writing Mission Statements that Work. Chicago: American Library Association, 2004.

An Effective Mission Statement Should:

According to Hamida Bergum, an effective mission statement addresses three key elements:

1- The Customer- defined in terms of need

2- The Value- how it meets the customers’ needs

3- What is Special About the Library- creating value

Linda Wallace emphasised that these qualities make for an effective mission statement:

- Simple and Clear Statements- Use an active voice- Establish Focus- Identify who is served and how- Motivate staff and the community- Provides a measure for effectiveness

Hamida Bergum, “Academic Library Mission Statement Indispensable Viewpoints,” p. 31.

Wallace, Linda K. Libraries, Mission, and Marketing: Writing Mission Statements that Work. Chicago: American Library Association, 2004.

Mission Statements and Slogans

Ecorner, Stanford University’s Entrepreneurship Corner, Presents a excerpt from a lecture presented by Guy Kawasaki, titled “Don’t Write a Mission Statement, Write a Mantra”

http://ecorner.stanford.edu/authorMaterialInfo.html?mid=1172

An Effective Mission Statement

An example of an effective mission statement can be seen with the Seattle Public Library’s mission statement:

“ The Seattle Public Library brings people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build

community.”

This is effective because:

● it defines the purpose of the library

● it is short-1 sentence long

● it avoids using jargon

Seattle Public Library, “About the Library: Mission Statement,” https://www.spl.org/about-the-library/mission-statement (accessed on November 11, 2014).

Mission Statements: Revisit and Revise

Wallace, Linda K. Libraries, Mission, and Marketing: Writing Mission Statements that Work. Chicago: American Library Association, 2004Photo source: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/exploringourmatrix/2013/02/rewriting-a-church-mission-statement.html

Some authors, like Linda Wallace, recommend revisiting a library’s mission statement at least every three years to make sure it is current and meets the staff and community’s needs.

Google’s Mission Statement: Mission Statements Outside of the Library

https://www.google.com/about/company/

http://ecorner.stanford.edu/authorMaterialInfo.html?mid=1079

Photo source: http://velocityagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/go.jpg

An Ineffective Mission Statement Can:

- Alienate users

- Frustrate staff

- Cost the Library Funding

Hamida Bergum, “Academic Library Mission Statement Indispensable Viewpoints”

Concluding Thoughts

● Understanding how a mission statement is created can help us as we enter the field as professionals.

● Mission statements help us tell our library’s story and helps us build our community.