Director's column: Updating the Library Mission Statement

Newsletter of the
Melvin J. Zahnow Library
Saginaw Valley State University

Volume 8, Issue2
Winter 2003
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Director's Column: Updating the Library Mission Statement

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As the physical transformation and expansion of Zahnow Library continues, it seems to be an opportune time to reflect upon all of the other ways the library is changing. Changes in information technology, electronic publishing, and the cost of scholarly information have had a profound impact on the library. The ways in which students learn and faculty teach are changing, as are the expectations they have of the library. Electronic information resources can be accessed remotely, making it possible to do library research without actually being in the library itself. Even the Chronicle of Higher Education asked “Do Libraries Really Need Books?” in the cover story of its July 12, 2002 issue.

In this environment of constant change, what is the role of Zahnow Library in the SVSU community? How do we define our mission? What are the core values that guide us through these changing times? This was the challenge presented to a committee of library staff members formed last fall to review and update the library’s mission statement. Serving on the committee were John Mauch (chair) and Thom Zantow from Reference Services, Heather Hillaker from Circulation & Media Services, and Louise Dukarski from Technical Services.

They worked diligently as a team, sought input from others, and crafted the new library mission statement that appears below. It speaks to the necessary coexistence of print and electronic resources, the importance of the library as a place, the value of information literacy, and our commitment to continuous improvement. I commend the committee members for their excellent work in articulating what we value and the many ways in which we support teaching and learning at SVSU.

Melvin J. Zahnow Library Mission Statement

The Melvin J. Zahnow Library affirms the mission of Saginaw Valley State University and its role as the premier cultural, intellectual, and educational resource in East-Central Michigan. In order to best serve the campus community and the people of the region, the Library will:

Recognize that in addition to being a repository of critical print and physical resources, as well as a selective portal to virtual resources, it is also a vital physical space for research, instruction, and study, and is increasingly a central part of the campus community.
Continue to emphasize the significance and value of information literacy and life-long learning skills through formal and informal instructional services.
Invest in its key resource: its staff. In addition to continually evaluating and improving the Library collection, access to its resources and instructional offerings, the staff is critical in leveraging the best value of the University’s investment by maximizing service to the campus community through quality, timeliness, and innovation.
Practice good stewardship in managing the resources entrusted to its care, while facilitating the use of those resources on and off campus, and to the growing population of remote users served by the University.

-- Revised October 2002

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Director's Column: Updating the Library Mission Statement

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Contributors

Anita Dey
Linda Farynk
Danyelle Freeman
Heather Hillaker
Jack Wood
Tom Zantow

Editors

John Mauch
Tom Latuszek
David Ran

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