Mission

Rod Library provides access to rich information resources and innovative services in a vibrant learning environment that inspires members of the University and wider community to embrace challenge, engage in critical inquiry and creative thought, and contribute to society as responsible world citizens.

Vision

We envision a library that takes us beyond our four walls and into the future by:

• Anticipating and adapting to changing patterns of scholarship and learning as well as the changing lifestyles of faculty and students
• Providing timely and seamless access to rich and diverse materials regardless of format, location, or mode of access
• Delivering personalized services tailored to individual needs whenever possible without regard for time and space constraints
• Supporting educational and informational needs of patrons from increasingly diverse backgrounds and locations

Values

Rod Library believes that intellectual freedom and inquiry are at the heart of all academic endeavors.

We therefore:

• Provide balanced local and electronic collections representing different points of view
• Recognize the diverse backgrounds of our patrons and support their learning styles
• Provide equitable access to resources, information, and services
• Treat our local and global library community with respect
• Protect our patrons’ privacy and right to confidentiality
• Offer excellent services provided by a knowledgeable and creative staff able to anticipate and adapt to a rapidly changing environment
• Serve as conscientious stewards of our collections, and our human, physical, and fiscal resources
• Provide safe, accommodating, inviting user spaces and environments

Goals

I.      Provide high quality services responsive to the changing cultural, research, and informational needs of our community, ensuring accountability and equitable access.

1.     Examine all library services maintaining and adapting only those most central to the library's mission.

2.     Evaluate suggestions for new library services.

3.     Strengthen and expand services that help our patrons to effectively locate, critically evaluate, and appropriately use information in their research process.

II.     Create and develop comprehensive and diverse collections to support UNI as a leading undergraduate public university with special emphasis on the liberal arts and Pre K-12 education. 

1.     Expand the electronic resources collection while recognizing the continuing need for print and other formats.

2.     Regularly evaluate the collections and identify and withdraw materials no longer needed.

3.     Explore the interest and feasibility of creating an institutional repository on campus in cooperation with other campus units.

4.     Expand access to University owned materials by providing library catalog access to collections within other university departments.

5.     Expand digitization efforts of important local materials and items in the collection we can no longer replace.

III.    In a climate that fosters experimentation and risk taking, encourage staff to work at their fullest potential enabling them to succeed in positions designed for the library’s future.

1.     Examine all library positions and redesign as appropriate to support the library’s mission and to allow for flexibility and adaptability.

2.     Provide training opportunities and support for staff to enable them to accomplish new and changing responsibilities and to engage in lifelong learning.              

3.     Provide opportunities for library staff to use their expertise and interest in areas outside of their primary assigned responsibilities.

4.     Develop a means to recognize or reward library employees who make significant contributions to the library or the University.

5.     Foster organizational transparency and openness, and relationships based on mutual trust and respect.

6.     Position the library to effectively plan for any temporary or permanent vacated position.

7.     Provide resources for the efficient and effective accomplishment of staff responsibilities in a changing technological environment.

8.     Move the administration of the UNI Museums to the Library.

9.     Provide for review of staff work areas and rearrange as needed

IV.    Provide functional, flexible, inviting, safe, technology-equipped learning spaces as well as user friendly online spaces.

1.     Anticipate the latest trends regarding research and learning needs and determine the most appropriate for Rod Library.

2.     Explore the feasibility of creating a research and learning area.

3.     Continuously improve the usability of the library’s online interface.

4.     Provide the most up to date appropriate technology within financial constraints.

5.     Work to ensure users have seamless access to remote resources.

6.     Create more collaborative study areas and group study rooms.

7.     Identify areas in the library that need redesigning or refurbishing.

V.     Increase awareness of and support for the Library’s vital role in fulfilling the educational mission of the University in providing excellent undergraduate and rigorous and relevant graduate education.

1.     Aggressively market the value of the library and its services and resources.

2.     Work with other campus departments and organizations to offer and cosponsor programs for the campus community.

3.     Work with the University administration and others to increase library funding.

4.      Increase library efforts in outreach to underserved groups such as first year students, transfer students, non-traditional students, etc.

5.    Work with appropriate campus units to foster understanding of the Scholarly communication system and help researchers regain control of their intellectual property rights.

6.     Work with appropriate campus units to increase the University community’s understanding of copyright.

October 7, 2010 (revised June 14, 2012)