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Website-about: Mission, Vision, Values and Planning

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Mission, Vision, Values and Planning

Mission

The mission of the Tennessee State University Libraries and Media Center is to promote scholarly inquiry and research, along with lifelong-learning and commitment to service. By providing access to excellent scholarly resources that support the institution’s curriculum, the Libraries and Media Center seek to provide students with the necessary skills and strategies for a successful educational experience.

Vision

The TSU Libraries will strive to be a preeminent university library known for the depth and breadth of its collection and quality service to the users. The Libraries will be the gateway to scholarly information, research and instruction by working in partnership with all members of the University community. 

Values

As the faculty and staff of the Tennessee State University Libraries, we will be guided by the following values in providing library resources and services to the Tennessee State University and the community at large:

  • Service- We provide quality service to our users through access to relevant and well-organized collections; excellent information literacy instruction; and professional conduct 
  • Respect - We treat our users with respect. We will strive to be fair to our co-workers and colleagues and build an environment of teamwork and comradery
  • Collaboration- We collaborate with our colleagues across departments and seek partnerships with faculty in teaching and learning
  • Diversity- We recognize and respect diversity in the Library users and staff
  • Communication - We encourage communication by the exchange of information and open and frank discussions
  • Authority and Accountability - We believe in affording the staff the opportunity to make decisions concerning their daily work tasks and at the same time expect them to adhere to the Library and University policies , practices and procedures.
  • Ethics- We accept the principles of the American Library Association Code of Ethics during our daily work, in interactions with our users and colleagues; we comply with all laws that cover copyright, licensing and user record issues
  • Professional Growth- We aim for excellence in our profession by promoting professional growth of our co-workers

Strategic Plans

The six goals articulated below are intended to reflect the unique mission of the Libraries and Media Center that serves the students, faculty and staff of a comprehensive university and an 1890 Land Grant institution within and beyond the boundaries of the campus. The Libraries and Media Center support the institutions baccalaureate, masters and doctoral level programs.

  • To develop, maintain and promote collections of resources in all types of formats to meet the changing information needs of the users and to support the learning, teaching and research needs of students, faculty and staff:
    • By working closely with the University Administration to provide adequate financial support for the growth of library resources, including print, and electronic formats
    • By obtaining federal funds to supplement the state monies to purchase library resources and services
    • By effectively partnering with other libraries to expand information services and resources sharing
  • To viably partner with faculty to develop the resources and services for face to face and/or online courses whenever possible and provide access to those resources and services on the Library's web site.
  • To facilitate access to resources not owned by the library via interlibrary loan and document delivery
  • To expand Library digital projects for international access.
  • To provide and maintain seamless access to electronic resources:
    • By purchasing and maintaining an Integrated Library System with state-of-the-art functionality that will promote excellent user experiences.
    • By planning for the expansion and integration of library technologies and services including the expansion of the library's research repository, Digital Scholarship @Tennessee State University
  • To continue to seek diverse funding from state and federal agencies, as well as the Technology Access Funds (TAF)
  • To making sure student computer workstations operate properly and at capacity.
  • To improve licensing and contractual processes via consortium opportunities with other libraries to share licenses/contracts; to work with the University Administration to improve legal processes in order to take advantage of special pricing by the vendors
  • To expand digital library services via continuing the selection and digitization of archival and rare resources
  • To anticipate and respond to our patrons' changing needs:
    • By recognizing the needs of a diverse student body and faculty, including multicultural students, non-traditional and part-time students, online degree program students located on campus and/or at remote sites
    • By providing focused and personalized assistance to our users in learning new library and information technologies, including the Embedded Librarian Program.
    • By providing adequate hours of service during the regular semesters and during midterms and finals.
    • By continuous improvement in providing information resources in all formats so that the users have fast and easy access to in-house and remote electronic resources and other library services
    • By participating with the federal, state and local agencies and consortia in meeting the needs of the larger community, including the Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL).
    • By encouraging the use of online Ask a Librarian reference service which allows librarians to communicate with the users via e-mail, text, or chat mode
    • By providing availability of librarians for research appointments
    • By providing a Multimedia Learning Commons with Apple computers and software for student collaborative projects
    • By providing a Makerspace to introduce students to the latest advancements in 3D printing and other media technologies.
    • To cultivate user self-sufficiency
    • By creating online Research Guides in the subject fields of academic majors and that support user access to resources at single point of entry.
    • By providing a discovery layer over the online catalog that generates research starters, direct links to full text articles, reference e-books, government documents and more.
    • By delivering quality user-oriented services that respond to the changing needs of the Libraries' diverse users.
  • To ensure an adequate budget to maintain quality library resources and services, library technology, including software and hardware, and a strong program of collection development that includes all formats
  • To provide for the continued renovation of the Brown-Daniel and Avon Williams Libraries and Media Center, including the replacement of furniture, equipment, carpeting and lighting
  • To actively solicit grant funds to support the Library's digital projects and technological needs
  • To provide professional development through increased participation in conferences and professional organizations
  • To provide appropriate opportunities, including workshops, conferences and courses for advancement in rank and pay
  • To create an environment that fosters collaboration and communication among staff at all levels, and provide opportunities for ownership, empowerment and accountability
  • To recognize accomplishments via verbal and written formats
  • To provide urgently needed space for and preservation of the historical resources of Tennessee State University, Nashville and Black history in Tennessee
  • To increase the interpretive role of Special Collections through exhibits, greater participation in campus events, special publications, including the digital collections and sponsored lectures
  • To maximize access to electronic technology, such the institutional repository, for open access to the University’s archival information.
  • To participate in the University's Service Learning Program and contribute to the engaged university process.