Vision statements describe what an organization aims to be in the future, while mission statements explain the organization's purpose and core functions. Goals are broad outcomes an organization wants to achieve, and objectives are specific, measurable targets to meet goals. A school library media center's vision, mission, goals and objectives should align and support student learning and development of lifelong information literacy skills.

1. LIB 601 Learning and Libraries Fall 2008 Vision, Mission, Goals and Objectives for the School Library Media Center And what’s the difference?

2. What Are All These Words? Vision? Mission? Goals? Objectives?

3. Vision? What is a vision? A vision is a clear, comprehensive ‘photograph’ of an organization at some point in the future. It provides direction because it describes what the organization needs to be like, to be successful within the future. Visions and Values http://www.changedesigns.co.za/Visions_and_values.htm

4. How Do Visions Start? Where Do They Come From? A strategic vision can arise . . . with an idea for a new service, an unrecognised need, an innovative source of funding, or an expressed demand. What is necessary is to be allowed to expand that notion or idea into a clear picture of how things could be different, how things could be truly better, how natural creativity might be applied in our organisation or project. What is a Vision? http://www2.fhs.usyd.edu.au/arow/o/m05/vision.htm

5. AASL Vision Statement The American Association of School Librarians is: A proactive organization that addresses issues, anticipates trends, and sets the future agenda for the profession; An advocate for the indispensable role of school library media programs with school library media specialists, for best practices in school librarianship, and for the core values and ethics of the library profession; An open, friendly, welcoming organization that embraces cultural and ethnic diversity; [ cont .] http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aboutaasl/aaslvision/aaslvisionstatement.htm

6. What About Mission? A Mission is a Statement of Purpose The Purpose is a clear and succinct statement of the reason the organisation or project exists. It brings clarity of purpose to members of the organisation, and broad direction as to what members of the organisation should be aiming for. It includes: The purpose The core function(s) The main methods used to reach those purposes The general thrust of future operations The major direction of change Statement of Purpose (Mission Formulation ) http://www2.fhs.usyd.edu.au/arow/o/m05/statpurp8.htm

7. Let’s Be Clear! Vision and Mission are different The statement of purpose and the mission statement are the same thing. A vision statement is not. There are many poorly developed mission statements. To study an effective process to produce bad mission statements, visit Dilbert’s Mission Statement Generator on the web at http://www.unitedmedia.com/comics/dilbert/games/career/bin/ms.cgi Formulating the Statement of Purpose http://www2.fhs.usyd.edu.au/arow/o/m05/statpurp8.htm

8. Sample Mission Statement Henry County Middle SchoolLibrary Media Center The Mission of the Henry County Middle School Library Media Center is to provide activities and resources that will assist students and staff in becoming effective and discriminating users of information, developing a pattern of lifelong learning, and in fostering a love of reading. Mission Statement

9. A district-wide example Fayette county schools, Kentucky The purpose of Media Services in keeping with the mission of Fayette County Public Schools is to provide people power, guidelines, and know-how to design excellent school library media programs that boost student achievement. Showcasing FCPS

10. Another Important Point Formulating the mission statement should come after the value scan has been completed. Formulating the Statement of Purpose http://www2.fhs.usyd.edu.au/arow/o/m05/statpurp8.htm

11. Values? What are values? A value is that which we believe is good. Our values are our enduring beliefs that some ways of acting, some ways of being or some things are personally or socially preferable to other modes of conduct, actions or things. . . . A statement of values . . . provides the individual and the organisation with norms to guide their work. Values Scan http://www2.fhs.usyd.edu.au/arow/o/m05/valscan.htm

12. Vision and Values Both are needed In any major transformation, the two most important change tools an organisation can use are vision and values. Values provides the trust and appropriate behaviours needed for success. Vision provides the direction and inspiration. These two interventions provide 80% of the benefits using only 20% of the leader's energy. Visions and Values http://www.changedesigns.co.za/Visions_and_values.htm

13. They all go together Vision, Philosophy and Mission It is important that all the components of a long range plan fit visibly into a well-organized document that starts with the district's educational vision, philosophy and mission and moves logically into the library media program's vision, philosophy and mission. Then the plan progresses to goals and activities that are derived from that mission. Long Range Planning for School Library Media Program http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/imt/slmplngrng.html

14. What About Goals and Objectives? Goals are an expected or desired outcome of a planning process. Goals are usually broad, general expressions of the guiding principles and aspirations of a community. Objectives are precise targets that are necessary to achieve goals. Objectives are detailed statements of quantitatively or qualitatively measurable results the plan hopes to accomplish. What are goals and objectives?

15. Goals and Objectives in a School Library Media Context Goals and Objectives: Goals can be rather broad, but they should be focused as directly as possible on student learning outcomes in order to be perceived as valid by decision-makers. (For example: All students will be able to access, use, and evaluate information in any medium, and use that information to solve problems, communicate clearly, make informed decisions, and construct new knowledge.) Generally, goals should be few in number, since each of them can generate more than one objective; and each objective might generate more than one activity to accomplish it. Long Range Planning for School Library Media Programs http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/imt/slmplngrng.html

16. Sample Goal and Objectives Goal 2: Improve the media center learning environment so that it is more conducive to constructive student activity by providing more adult supervision and assistance Objectives: Develop a plan for recruiting volunteers, including incentives and guidelines Develop a training program for media center volunteers Implement plan and assess after one year YOU ARE THE KEY... Program Development

17. Mission and Goals in Information Power ? Mission and Goals of the School Library Media Program The mission of the library media program is to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information. This mission is accomplished: by providing intellectual and physical access to materials in all formats by providing instruction to foster competence and stimulate interest in reading, viewing, and using information and ideas by working with other educators to design learning strategies to meet the needs of individual students. http:// www.ala.org/aasl/ip_goals.html

18. International statements IFLA/UNESCO School Library Manifesto The School Library in Teaching and Learning for All The school library provides information and ideas that are fundamental to functioning successfully in today's information and knowledge-based society. The school library equips students with life-long learning skills and develops the imagination, enabling them to live as responsible citizens. http:// www.ifla.org/VII/s11/pubs/manifest.htm

19. IASL Policy Statement on School Libraries The school library is central to the fulfillment of the instructional goals and objectives of the school and promotes this through a planned program of acquisition and organization of information technology and dissemination of materials to expand the learning environment of all students. A planned program of teaching information skills in partnership with classroom teachers and other educators is an essential part of the school library program. http://www.iasl-online.org/about/handbook/policysl.html

20. What about Kentucky? LIBRARY MEDIA GOALS The school Library Media Program is an integral part of the school’s total educational program. In today’s information age, an individual’s success in problem solving, becoming an informed citizen, even in pursuing personal interests largely depends upon the ability to access, use and evaluate information from a variety of resources thus ensuring that students become information literate. . . . The Library Media Program should provide an inviting, accessible and stimulating environment for meeting the information needs of the total school community. http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/Instructional+Resources/Curriculum+Documents+and+Resources/Library+Media/Beyond+Proficiency.htm