Vision Statement for the year 2010
DEFINITION:As part of a major AAU/land grant institution, the UNL Libraries enhances the University's role in the creation, distribution, preservation and application of knowledge. The Libraries are a primary gateway to information resources and are fully integrated into the teaching, research and outreach missions of the University. We accomplish these missions through an infrastructure of technology, facilities and personal assistance that support a commitment to timely, equitable, seamless service for faculty and students irrespective of the information source.
At the core of user service is an information literate library faculty and support staff providing in depth assistance for accessing, delivery and creation of knowledge. Within a dynamic environment we strive to maintain a pluralistic, highly qualified staff committed to excellent service, continuous learning, and the values of the education experience.
UNIVERSITY CONTEXT:- Staff and Faculty of the Libraries
The staff and faculty of the Libraries are diverse, highly skilled, inquisitive and motivated people. A strong staff development program is in place that allows individuals to keep information literacy skills current and effectively contribute to the development of the Libraries. Differences are valued and individual efforts, ideas and enthusiasm are sought out and rewarded. All staff and faculty efforts are focused as a team with a common vision. - Technology
A highly technological, complex infrastructure exists, but is transparent to the user. Increasingly sophisticated software is available which requires less staff intervention for routine inquiries. Advanced delivery systems allow the Libraries much greater flexibility in providing services and meeting the needs of users. - Change
The rapid pace of developments in the field of library and information science has not abated. The Libraries as an organization searches for new ideas and perspectives so as to anticipate and effectively respond to change. Diverse formats and aging collections lend urgency to preservation efforts. - Users
Users are a highly diverse group. Some users are in remote geographical locations and many regularly connect electronically to the Libraries' resources. Users view the Libraries as an integral part of their success, and as partners in meeting their needs and expectations in the process of creation, distribution, and application of knowledge. They see the Libraries' staff and faculty as reliable, helpful and resourceful. - Organization
The Libraries work to effectively blend the finest traditions of the library profession with new technologies and changing patterns of scholarship. Due to resource limitations and market influences, the University and the Libraries become more focused and funding is increasingly sought from grants, gifts and private sources.
Libraries around the world accumulate and maintain records of human knowledge and human endeavor. The role of the library staff is to assist the user community in accessing information from local as well as geographically remote sources. With a long tradition of organizing information and training users in information retrieval, librarians have a key role to play in the university community in selecting, designing, and interpreting knowledge management systems.
