Library Mission, Vision, Values, & Principles

Introduction

As the primary bibliographic and information resource for the curriculum of the University, the library emphasizes rapid access to needed materials and information. The library actively promotes the immediate availability of textual, numeric, and visual resources. In its collections, information resources, instruction, and other services, the library's emphasis is on delivering support for the curriculum and programs of colleges and departments. Access to the library collections is enhanced by end-user and librarian-mediated access to a variety of electronic information resources. The library actively promotes the principle of equal access to intellectual resources regardless of format for all constituencies in the campus community. The library strives to provide access to information appropriate to each college discipline, along with needed user instruction and support.

As an essential teaching and research laboratory, the library emphasizes instruction, reference services, on site and remote access to information in print and electronic formats, development of information literacy, and management of collections. The library provides resources and support for the University's major functions--teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, and community service. The library is located at the center of the campus in two interconnected buildings--Library North and Palmer Wing.

Mission

The Library supports the academic programs of Cal State L. A. through instruction, collections, technology and services which enable students and faculty to access recorded knowledge and information resources. This support empowers our constituencies to develop the information and technological competencies necessary to achieve their educational, research and professional goals; succeed in the workforce; apply lifelong learning skills; and participate in a diverse society.

Vision

The Library, using its allocated resources to the fullest, accomplishes its mission through the following activities.

To encourage learning and scholarship by creating a learning community and promoting information competency in its constituencies, the Library

  • creates learning environments and experiences that produce competency in the use of resources and in research methodologies;
  • designs instructional services and programs that foster learning and collaborations with faculty in other academic units of the University;
  • offers patrons customer-oriented assistance in selecting, locating and using resources;
  • provides appropriate access to resources by all of its patrons, wherever their location.

To provide access to recorded knowledge and information resources, the Library

  • acquires balanced information and knowledge resources to support CSULA's academic programs;
  • provides organized, logical and timely access to both local and remote resources;
  • develops access to electronic resources on the Internet, primarily in the World Wide Web environment;
  • participates in resource sharing programs, including cooperative purchasing, mutual library use, interlibrary loan, and document delivery.

To provide the infrastructure for support of its users’ needs, the Library

  • plans and provides the technological structure needed to meet changing information and patron needs;
  • provides well-equipped and safe facilities that encourage study and learning;
  • maintains suitable numbers of user stations to support use of printed and networked media, as well as labs, classrooms, and study rooms;
  • develops a consistent, easy to use, identifiable interface to library resources for use in any Internet connection location.

As a dynamic organization that evolves to meet changing needs, the Library

  • assesses its effectiveness in a variety of ways, including periodic patron needs and satisfaction surveys;
  • builds an organizational structure that anticipates changing information technologies and meets patron needs and expectations;
  • encourages professional awareness and career development of its faculty and support staff.

Values

In order to ensure the success of our mission, we, the personnel of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, California State University, Los Angeles, practice these values.

We deliver quality service to our patrons through ...

  • Using our skills and resources innovatively to meet the needs of our diverse community
  • Providing information and knowledge in many formats
  • Ensuring responsible stewardship and logical organization of our resources
  • Protecting intellectual freedom
  • Promoting information competence
  • Providing an environment conducive to learning.

We achieve teamwork through ...

  • Respecting one another as individuals
  • Exercising good judgment, practicing responsible behavior and accepting accountability
  • Contributing, cooperating and communicating to meet Library goals.

Principles

The professional principles and ideals contained in the following documents have been endorsed by the faculty and staff of the University Library: