Library Principles
The following five statements constitute the governing principles of Lane Community College Library. They were adopted by the Library staff from 1992 to the present.
On This Page
1. Library Mission and Philosophy
Lane Community College is a comprehensive community college whose mission is to provide accessible, high quality, and affordable lifelong education. Within this context, the primary goal of the Library is to provide library services that support the curriculum and fulfill the information needs of students, faculty, staff, administration, and community through the building and maintaining of a vital collection of library materials and resources. Whenever possible, these will be extended to the community.
2. Library Unifying Principles
In our interactions with patrons:
- We believe our patrons should be treated with professionalism and respect.
- We believe the Library should be accessible to everyone.
- We believe the Library should provide an environment conducive to learning and productive work.
- We believe in promoting library literacy.
- We believe in the use of plain, simple language.
In our interactions with our colleagues:
- We will endeavor to apply the above principles.
- We will endeavor to understand each other's work and recognize each other's areas of expertise.
- We will endeavor to foster a team approach to meeting the challenges of our work.
- We will endeavor to operate under the principles of consensual decision making.
3. Library Purpose and Goals
In support of the stated goals and objectives of the College, the Library is developing a unified program of library-media resources and services. The purpose of this program is to enhance instruction and learning in a manner consistent with the philosophy and curriculum of Lane Community College. The Library is guided by the principles of the Library Bill of Rights in the development of its programs and services.
The goals of the Library are:
- To provide organized collections of print and non-print resources which will meet institutional and instructional requirements as well as the individual needs of students.
- To create an environment in which resources are made readily accessible, not only through the provision of appropriate facilities, furnishings, equipment, and supplies, but particularly through the provision of adequate staff.
- To facilitate learning and community services by providing services, resources and facilities which encourage and stimulate individualized instruction, independent study and effective use of resources by students, faculty and the community.
4. Library Diversity Statement
Lane Community College Library recognizes its exceptional role in promoting diversity within the College and our local and global community. The Library cultivates and encourages diversity and multiculturalism through its collections, programs, services, and human resources. The Library
- understands the value of diverse co-existence and interdependence
- actively works towards an environment of respect
- fosters a spirit of fairness and tolerance for human differences.
The Library ensures all users equal access to its collections and services. The Library's work environment and ethic reflects inclusive and participatory practices, as well as the responsibility for preventing bias and insensitivity. We work towards equal access without regard to:
- age
- ancestry
- class
- color
- culture
- disability
- employment status
- ethnicity
- gender
- ideology and opinions
- income
- interests
- language
- learning styles
- marital status
- national origin
- origin
- politics
- race
- religion
- sexual orientation
- veteran's status
The Library addresses diversity in 4 interrelated contexts:
- the workplace environment
- the library environment
- the learning environment
- the cultural and social environment
The workplace environment
We value and promote diversity amongst coworkers, which encourages creativity, debate, innovation, and organizational progress. To accomplish these goals, we encourage diverse hiring and promotion, and foster respectful and participatory communication and collaboration.
The library environment
We value and promote diversity as a library and as library professionals. To accomplish these goals, we encourage and promote:
- access to information services
- variety and scope of material and services
- flexibility and adaptability of materials and services
- elimination of technical, administrative and system barriers
- reflection and promotion of multiple viewpoints, worldviews and perspectives in the Library's collections and services.
The learning environment
We value and promote diversity among all library users, including students, faculty, staff, and community members.
To accomplish these goals, we actively use methods and practices that emphasize a flexible and empathetic approach to each library user.
The cultural and social environment
We value and promote diverse lifelong learning and information literacy as pathways to an informed community. We value and promote cultural awareness and social responsibility as pathways to fostering an appreciation of a diverse world. To accomplish these goals, we actively use methods and practices that foster a diverse view of the world and its cultural and social environments.
5. Library Bill of Rights
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
- Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
- Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
- Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
- Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
- A person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
- Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
Adopted June 18, 1948.
Amended February 2 1961, June 27 1967, and January 23 1980, by the ALA Council.
