NMSU Library Strategic Plan Working Documents

MISSION STATEMENT

New Mexico State University Library develops and provides essential and specialized resources and services to meet the information needs of the NMSU community and the people of New Mexico. The Library does this by:

• organizing resources
• providing human and technologically mediated access
• teaching users to locate, obtain, and evaluate information

The Library provides leadership to New Mexico State University in:

• the distribution of scholarly information
• collaborative information projects
• electronic access and delivery of information

VALUES STATEMENT

• New Mexico State University Library values the University's mission and the library's role in producing educated graduates and citizens.
• We recognize the importance of our users and work to provide them with dependable, timely, comprehensive, quality information.
• We recognize our role in adding value to information by selecting, organizing, reformulating, synthesizing, and evaluating.
• We value the diversity of our users, the diversity of information in all its forms, and the diverse ways in which information is used.
• We value access to information and strive to eliminate or reduce barriers created by physical location, cost, censorship, difficulty of use and user status.
• We value the skills, talents, potential, and individuality of our library employees and encourage their unique contributions through training, opportunity, and recognition.
• We rely on leadership, collaboration, and innovative solutions-both human and technological-to achieve our goals and maintain our values.

We invite comments on this draft Mission/Values Statement for the NMSU Library. Please address comments to Laural Adams, ladams@lib.nmsu.edu, Chair, Mission/Values Scan Committee

QUESTION SYNTHESIS/RECURRING THEMES FROM LIBRARY FUTURES 
CONFERENCE--March 28-29, 1996

1) Future of Info Needs

Training
Timeliness
Cost Effective
Evaluated/Synthesized/Quality/Digested
Human Interface
Simplicity
Ease of Access 
Access/Delivery
Global
Technology Mediated
Critical Thinking Skills
Specialized Collections/Resources
Preservation of Multiple Forms of Info

2)Values

University Mission
Innovation/Change
Customer Focus/Service
Interface
Access: Physical/Intellectual
Levels of Cost to Users: Free to Fee
Quality
No Censorship
Cost Considerations
Ethics
Collaboration: Vendors/Libraries/Users
Leadership Role
Valuing/Respecting: Each Other/From Others
Standards: Organizaing Info/Technical Standards
Information: Dependable/Quick/Comprehensive/Enhanced


3)Who;What;How

Who:
Students, Faculty, & Staff (NMSU Community)
Las Cruces (Local Community)
State
Global
Other Libraries
Non-Library Users
Distance Ed
Cross-Border Users
Remote Users
Life-long Learners
Diverse Users: Cultures/Age/Income/Language/etc.
Schools

What:
Core Collection
Traditional Resources
Electronic Access (Including Preservation/Refreshing)
Unique Resources (Regional, etc.)
Delivery
Teaching: Basic to Critical Thinking Skills
Expertise: Human/Machine/Subject/Access/Organization of Info
Dependible Services: Systems/Delivery/Human Interfaces/ Physical Access

How:
Organize Information
Cooperation/Collaboration: Vendors/Resource Sharing
Multiple/Flexible/Adaptable Means 
Marketing/Outreach
Teaching
Good Interfaces: Human/Machine(i.e. Expert Systems)/Physical
Cost Effectiveness: Use of Staff/Choice of Services & 	Resources
Cost Recovery: Fees/Fundraising
Leadership

4) Now:
Underfunded: State/University/Development
Organizational Road Blocks: State/University/Library
Not Marketing
Value Technology But Not Keeping Pace
Conflicting Values About Change
Not Enough Instruction: Basic to Critical Thinking Skills
Poor Understanding of University Mission
Different Classes of Users
Running Out of Space
Facing Journal Crisis
Haven't Idenitified our Specialization/Niche
Strong Staff: Potential Needs to Be Further Developed
Unique Regional Resources
Developing Cross-border Relationships
Questionable Multi-cultural Awareness

5)How to Get There:

Reallocate Resources: Outsourcing/Reprioritizing/Use Staff's
Potential/Avoid Duplication/Resource Sharing/Efficiency /Cost Effective
Ongoing: Environemental Scanning & Measurement/Planning/Evaluation
Marketing: University/Community/Users
Adopt Customer Focus
Develop Climate for: Change/Risk-Taking/Innovation/Flexibility
Maintain Adequate Infrastructure: Buildings/Equipment/Systems
Teaching
Collaboration
Use Staff's Potential: Training/Respect/Flexiblity
Stronger Development: Full-time Person

Take Leadership: Alternatives Scholarly Publishing/Teaching Critical
Skills/Electronic Access to Info/Collaborative Information Projects
More Agressive Fundraising:Development/Grants/Overhead/State
Money/University Budget
Outreach
Add Value to Information
More/Better Communication: Internal/External

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