The document summarizes a meeting to develop a values statement for ZSR Library. It outlines what values statements are, provides examples, and discusses doing a baseline reading of potential values followed by discussion to determine the most important values to include. The task force will create a draft statement and get further input before finalizing the values statement.

1. A ZSR Values Statement
a meeting to help produce a rough draft
April 26, 2012
Task Force members:
Bobbie Collins | Mary Reeves | Lauren Pressley

2. Why We Are Here
To distill what you consider
to be the most important
values of ZSR Library.

3. Agenda
1. What are values statements?
2. Examples of values statements
3. Baseline reading
4. Discussion
5. Possible re-polling
6. Wrap up and next steps

4. 1. What are values statements?
• Values: broad preferences concerning
appropriate courses of action or outcomes.
• Values Statement: an expression of a
company's or individual's core beliefs. Can be
thought of as “guiding principles.”

5. 1. What are values statements?
“Core values are deeply ingrained principles that guide all
of a company’s actions; they serve as its cultural
cornerstone.”
• Set standards of conduct that are considered important
• Guide the behavior of individuals in the organization.
(from Nelson, W. and Gardent, P. (2011). “Organizational
Values Statements.” Healthcare Executive. pp. 56-59.)

6. 1. What are values statements?
• Mission Statement: gives a clear, concise, and
specific description of organization’s purpose
• Vision Statement: presents what the
organization wants to be, with direction for
the future
• Values Statement: specifies how the
organization will conduct its business to fulfill
the mission and vision

7. (and a reminder)
Mission Statement: The mission of the Z. Smith
Reynolds Library is to help our students, faculty,
and staff succeed. We do this by providing
unparalleled service in managing, delivering and
teaching the use of scholarly content and
information technology.

8. (and a reminder)
Vision Statement: Wake Forest University library users will have many choices for information in
the next ten years. Scholarly books and journals that used to be available only in print will be
increasingly, and sometimes exclusively, available in digital format as well. Scholarly journals, in
particular, will be almost completely transformed to a digital form. Changes in promotion and
tenure requirements and the culture of each discipline will drive changes in scholarly
communications in every field of academic inquiry. The Z. Smith Reynolds Library will lead the
evolution and adaptation to changing information technologies. As new technologies become
available and are adopted by scholars in the field, the Library will lead the campus in accessing,
assessing, and teaching the use of new sources of information that are critical to the mission of
the University.
The Library also recognizes its responsibility as a cultural institution to preserve the unique
primary resources in its care. While the digitization of these resources is highly desirable so that
they may be used by a global audience, their preservation as physical cultural artifacts is equally
vital.
As a physical place, the Library will further its evolution from a container of books and journals to
an active learning place that is the academic center of campus. Students and faculty will choose
to come to the library to learn about new resources, obtain help in using them, and collaborate
with others to produce creative new expressions of ideas.

9. (and a reminder)
Vision Statement (the short version): The Z.
Smith Reynolds Library will be the first and
favorite source for Wake Forest users in their
quest for knowledge.

10. (and a reminder)
Values Statement: ???

11. 2. Examples of Values Statements
American Library Association

12. 2. Examples of Values Statements
University of Richmond Library

13. 2. Examples of Values Statements
Duke University Libraries

14. 2. Examples of Values Statements
UNC-CH Libraries

15. 2. Examples of Values Statements
UNC-CH Health Libraries

16. 2. Examples of Values Statements
Drexel University Libraries

17. 2. Examples of Values Statements
William & Mary – Student Life

18. 2. Examples of Values Statements
Davidson – Finance and Admin.

19. 3. Baseline Reading
• We created a comprehensive list from the
values survey we distributed as well as from
conversations we have had.
• If something is missing, we should be sure to
discuss it after we’ve taken the baseline
reading.
• We’ll go through this list very quickly

20. 3. Baseline Reading
When answering, please consider:
• Is this more of an aspirational value of ZSR?
• Is this an existing value of ZSR?
• Is this value unusually strong within ZSR?

21. Academic freedom
We value the knowledge and experience our staff and
faculty bring to their work and the academic freedom we
have in the development of our work, in classes, in
scholarship, and in professional involvement.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

22. Balance
We value each other and the balance we seek to
achieve between our professional and personal lives.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

23. Caring
We care about our colleagues, supporting each other in
our work and in personal milestones. We also care
about the larger Wake Forest University community,
and helping the larger community succeed.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

24. Collaboration
We value collegiality and working together in a team
environment.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

25. Culture of Connectedness
We value our ability to build connections with our colleagues
and the WFU community either face-to-face or via online and
social media networks. We strive to create a sense of “being
in it together” environment and that there are no outsiders
(i.e., sense of belonging).
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

26. Diversity
We support and appreciate differences: of opinion,
perspective, culture, race, socioeconomic status, color, sex,
national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, and physical
ability.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

27. Dynamic
We value the energy that exists in our dynamic environment, the
enthusiasm of our colleagues, and the fun in our workplaces.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

28. Flexibility
We value the flexibility we have in our work, so long as our work
is done in a high quality way.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

29. Friendliness
We value our welcoming role on campus, the fact that we are
both approachable and friendly.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

30. Independence
We value the freedom and professional autonomy we have to
explore ideas and take risks in order to provide better service.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

31. Innovation
We value a creative environment that allows us to explore new
ideas and services and re-envision what libraries can be.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

32. Knowledge
We value knowledge in traditional sources and formats, as well
as knowledge that is developed in newer sources and published
using newer models.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

33. Leadership
We value the role of the library and seek to be a leader in the
field, as well as a leader in University discussions.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

34. Learning Organization
We are intellectually curious and expect to continue to learn,
grow, and develop. We do this amongst ourselves through
professional development, from each other, and through access
to cultural activities. We also seek to instill lifelong learning in
our students whenever we have contact with them.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

35. Library as Place
We value the library as a physical place for students to gather
and for people to meeting across disciplines. We provide spaces
for the WFU community to host events and enrichment
programs that engage the intellectual and cultural lives of the
community.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

36. Mission-Focused
We value our community and seek to help our faculty, students,
and staff succeed.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

37. Open
We value openness in transparent governance, in publication
through the Open Access movement, and in technology through
the use of Open Source software.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

38. Positive
We value positive attitudes and a focus on doing the right thing.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

39. Productivity
We value getting work done. We are action oriented and hard
working.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

40. Quality of Work
We value high quality work and focus on details and the user
experience to ensure the highest quality. We seek out
professional development to ensure we are operating according
to current best practices.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

41. Respected
We value that we are appreciated on campus and by our
administration and that people trust our information and
services.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

42. Stewardship
We value good stewardship of our materials including the
preservation of history and the story of WFU.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

43. Success
We value success and celebrate our own as well as the success of
our students and faculty.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

44. Traditional Values &Forward Thinking
We value the discovery of traditional and newer resources using
current tools to help our users find the best possible
information. We also value the exploration of new search tools
to keep up with our users’ changing expectations.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

45. Variety
We value variety in our work.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

46. Wellbeing
We value the wellbeing of our colleagues.
1. Epitomizes ZSR
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR

47. 4. Discussion
What do you believe are the most important
values that should be included?

48. 4. Discussion
Are there any other values that should be
added?

49. 4. Discussion
Are there any values that are aspirational rather
than representative of ZSR as it currently
operates?

50. 4. Discussion
For the statement:
What format should our values take?
• Narrative
• Bulleted list
• Annotated list
• Other

51. 4. Discussion
For the statement:
Should we separate out the values we have for
ourselves vs. our services? Or keep them
combined?

52. 4. Discussion
Would it be helpful for this group (or an
especially interested subset) to reconvene?

53. 5. Possible Re-Polling

54. Enter question text...
1. Epitomizes ZSR 20% 20% 20% 20% 20%
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR
1 2 3 4 5

55. Enter question text...
1. Epitomizes ZSR 20% 20% 20% 20% 20%
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR
1 2 3 4 5

56. Enter question text...
1. Epitomizes ZSR 20% 20% 20% 20% 20%
2. Present at ZSR
3. Neutral at ZSR
4. Less Typical at ZSR
5. Rare at ZSR
1 2 3 4 5

57. 6. Wrap Up and Next Steps
• We will contact those who were unable to
attend today and wanted to provide input.
• We will create a draft document and
distribute via Lib-L for final comments and
discussion
• Draft statement is due to the Dean’s office on
May 11th.