Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategy | Van Pelt and Opie Library

Mission

Creating connections in the heart of campus.

Vision

The library will be integral to learning and research experiences across our communities.

Values

To support a culture of respect and service across campus and our communities, the Van Pelt and Opie Library staff promise a welcoming atmosphere and access to information and resources for all patrons. Our library staff ensure patrons have positive and seamless experiences that empower them to use our resources and services.

We CARE about our patrons and are dedicated to providing excellent service through Communication, Appreciation, Respect and Empowerment.

C: Communication and open exchange of information and ideas are valued

Everyone can expect:

Acknowledgement and understanding of needs through the use of effective listening and questioning
A professional, prompt and thorough response to questions and needs
Neutrality regardless of topic or request

A: Appreciation and attentive service informs our interactions

Everyone can expect:

A positive, welcoming attitude
Thankfulness; patrons are thanked and feel valued
Friendly service

R: Respect is central to our service philosophy

Our diverse community can expect:

To feel comfortable using library spaces and services
An encouraging, inclusive environment
Respect for and awareness of cultural and other personal differences

E: Empowerment of our patrons is a goal of our service philosophy

Everyone can expect:

To have the privacy of questions, needs, searches, and library records respected
To be engaged in teachable moments when appropriate and timely
Information and services presented in user-friendly and accessible ways

Current Strategic Plan

The J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library’s 2020-2024 Strategic Plan consists of five goals and their supporting strategic initiatives.

Goal 1: We will be integral partners in university initiatives

Strategic Initiative 1: Collaborate and co-host events with campus and off-campus partners
Strategic Initiative 2: Correlate University-wide student success markers to library programs and services
Strategic Initiative 3: Conduct research, write funding proposals, and manage sponsored projects that benefit the library and the university
Strategic Initiative 4: Promote openness and accessibility of classroom learning materials such as Open Educational Resources (OERs)

Goal 2: We will be champions of curiosity and learning

Strategic Initiative 1: Develop strategies to increase access to critical research & learning resources
Strategic Initiative 2: Increase library involvement in learning experiences both in and out of the classroom
Strategic Initiative 3: Ensure innovation across the library by proactively seeking professional development opportunities for staff
Strategic Initiative 4: Create meaningful and flexible outreach to foster curiosity and meet patrons at their point of need

Goal 3: We will be responsive, proactive, and service-oriented communicators

Strategic Initiative 1: Proactively represent the library across campus, build relationships, and champion staff to be engaged in new university-wide endeavors
Strategic Initiative 2: Continuously improve the communication of library news and services
Strategic Initiative 3: Promote safety across the library

Goal 4: We will make patron experiences central to the design of library spaces and services

Strategic Initiative 1: Identify gaps in patron feedback collection, evaluate feedback methods at peer institutions, develop strategies to address gaps, and provide timely responses to patrons
Strategic Initiative 2: Evaluate patron and collection needs, and optimize library space to meet these needs

Goal 5: We will embody a culture of integrity, respect, inclusiveness, and transparency

Strategic Initiative 1: Develop a culture of positive communication
Strategic Initiative 2: Improve the accessibility of library spaces, services, and resources