The document discusses the importance and process of developing an effective mission statement for libraries. It begins by defining what a mission statement is and its purpose. It then provides examples of mission statements from different types of libraries like academic, public, school and special libraries. The document outlines the key elements that make for an effective mission statement and the considerations and steps in the drafting process, including brainstorming, writing in an active voice and revisiting the statement periodically. Developing a clear and concise mission statement that guides the library's goals and services is an important part of strategic planning.

1. Creating a Library
ELIZABETH MILLER & ABDUL ALNEMARI
NOV 12. 2014
Photo source: http://www.questpcs.com/evangelicalcatholicchurch/missionstatement.htm

2. 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

3. 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 Science
Hamida Begum, Academic Library Mission Statement: Indispensable Viewpoints.
Photo source: http://www.hondawellness.com/navigation/about-dw/our-mission-3/

4. 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

5. Why Mission Statement?
● Mission statements articulate the goals, visions, values, and strategic
behavior of the institution or organization
● "[a]n organizational mission statement—one that
truly 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.

6. 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>

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

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

9. 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.
/
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

10. 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 Libraries
Photo source: http://cutcaster.com/vector/100500625-Public-library/

11. 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).

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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).

15. School Library Mission Statement
According 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)

16. 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).

17. 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.

18. 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).

19. 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

20. 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).

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. Brainstorming Sessions
Linda 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.

24. 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.

25. 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

26. 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).

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

28. 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

29. An Ineffective Mission Statement Can:
- Alienate users
- Frustrate staff
- Cost the Library Funding
Hamida Bergum, “Academic Library Mission Statement Indispensable Viewpoints”

30. 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.