Mission, vision, & goals

Mission

Columbus State University Libraries supports the University's curricular, research, cultural and community service objectives by providing library/information resources, instruction, instructional technology support, and other services that promote and enrich intellectual and personal growth and scholarship.

Vision

The CSU Libraries will be a vital and essential component of university life at CSU, recognized as the campus’s premier information resource, intellectual center, and academic sanctuary.

Values

CSU Libraries is committed to:

• Collaboration with university colleagues, campus organizations, and the community at large;
• Diversity by supporting the wide-ranging information needs of the CSU community;
• Excellence by striving to be a model for peer urban academic libraries;
• Innovation by embracing change and encouraging the exploration of new ideas and practices, including those in the area of advanced learning technologies;
• Intellectual Freedom and the free exchange of ideas as stated in the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, and the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights and Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries;
• Service based on a user-centered model, anticipating the long-term needs of users and developing plans to meet those needs in accordance with University priorities;
• Teamwork in a diverse collegial environment, always recognizing and appreciating contributions, and encouraging and providing opportunities to participate in library/campus activities and continuing education/professional development;
• Instruction as a teaching library focusing on cultivating the information literacy competencies essential for success in college and life-long learning.

Goals

Goal 1

Develop 21st-century information literacy programs.

(USG Goal 1)

As defined in the Association for College & Research Libraries' Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education Information Literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information. It forms the basis for lifelong learning and is common to all disciplines, to all learning environments, and to all levels of education.

It is vital in today’s world of continual technological change and the proliferation of information resources that students possess information literacy competencies that they may apply in their academic studies and throughout their professional and personal lives.

Goal 2

Provide quality, useful and accessible information resources.

(USG Goal 1 & 2)

To adequately support the curricular and research needs of a growing and diverse academic community, the CSU Libraries strives to provide access to print and electronic information resources that support the University’s mission and programs, both on and off campus.

Goal 3

Develop facilities to meet 21st-century library patron needs.

(USG Goal 2)

Recent national surveys indicate that today’s students see the library as a place, not just a virtual collection of resources. CSU students rank the library highly as a physical destination for a variety of resources and services. This is confirmed by the library’s steadily increasing gate count over the last several years.

Built in 1975, Schwob Library needs to be renovated and expanded in order to provide an effective, functional, state-of the-art, and attractive facility for its growing student body and faculty. With the recent relocation of the art and theater departments and MBA program to the RiverPark campus, a larger uptown library facility is needed to support the information and library service needs of these disciplines.

Goal 4

Provide informational and instructional technologies that facilitate teaching and learning.

(USG Goal 1 & 2)

Today’s multi-faceted learning environment relies heavily on a variety of technologies to locate, access, deliver, manipulate, and create information (a) in the library setting (for example, the Information Commons, group study rooms, computer labs, library classrooms & collaborative learning room, wireless access); (b) in campus classrooms, offices, and auditoriums; (c) at distance learning sites and international study applications; and (d) for countless other on and off campus locations. Technology supports CSU’s participation in collaborative library resource sharing ventures such as Interlibrary Loan, GALILEO, GIL Express, and the Digital Library of Georgia.

Library technology and advanced learning technologies are essential in providing the foundation for instruction, research, and access to information resources across the entire campus and beyond. The CSU Libraries’ Instructional Technology Support Department plays a critical role in providing these services.

Goal 5

Recruit, support, and retain outstanding faculty and staff.

(USG Goal 3 & 6)

Recruiting, supporting, and retaining talented, knowledgeable, dedicated faculty and staff with adequate compensation and recognition will enable CSU Libraries to reach its potential as a vital component of university life. Retention and support also provides the opportunity to develop leadership skills throughout the organization while at the same time reduces the financial costs, loss of expertise, and compromise in customer service associated with vacancies.

As a learning organization, CSU Libraries provides opportunities for faculty and staff to regularly participate in development programs. It also encourages faculty and staff to become involved in professional and community service activities, which provide opportunities for professional and personal growth as well.