Libraries, Mission, and Marketing: Writing Mission Statements That Work. The focus is more on overall mission statements and not Instruction Program mission statements but some of the general principles seem to apply. Here's a few of those principles:
"To be effective as a planning tool, planning experts tell us that a mission statement should:
- Establish focus.
- Identify who is served and how.
- Motivate staff and donors.
- Provide a measure of effectiveness
To be effective as a communication took, your mission statement should also pack a punch. It should deliver a clear, brief, and dynamic message. And it should be easily said as well as read."
Here's a few examples of good mission statements provided in the book:
"We bring together knowledgeable staff, scholarly information, welcoming spaces, and leading-edge technology to promote learning and enable research." (University of Texas-Arlington Libraries)
"To sell merchandise that doesn't come back--to people who do." (Vermont Country Store)
By the way, here is CUL's current mission statement:
"The Library?s mission in the next decade is to lead the collaborative development of an academic information infrastructure that enhances and meets the changing needs of preservation, discovery, transmission, and the application of knowledge, creativity, and critical thought."
I happened to notice that CISER lists their mission statement right at the top of the home page:
"CISER's mission is to support, strengthen and enrich the social and economic research community at Cornell University."
Here are a few Instruction Program Mission statements:
MISSION
"The University of Maryland Libraries Information literacy Program aims to provide members of the University with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively identify, find, evaluate and ethically use information to support academic excellence and lifelong learning. This Program emerges from the Libraries'vision & missionandstrategic plan.pdf.Two main groups coordinate and conduct the day to day activities that constitute the Libraries Information Literacy Program. They are User Education Services and the librarian subject-specialists, curators & special collections librarians. To learn more about this Program, (i.e. who teaches library instruction classes? who directs the program? what assessment measures and standards are used?), visitOverview of the Libraries Information Literacy Program." (University of Maryland Libraries)"The UT Arlington Library is dedicated to promoting life-long learning through its instruction and reference services. Regardless of location, we offer an array of reference and instructional services to support the teaching and research needs of theUT Arlington and Arlington communities. Services include research consultations and seminars, online materials, course-integrated instruction and library tours. Research assistance is available at each of our locations as well as by telephone, e-mail or chat."
As I think about this for CUL I have a few ideas right away. I hope we can come up with something that is dynamic, packs a punch and focuses on outcomes. Words like excitement, enthusiasm and even awe might be appropriate. I think we might want to say something about reducing anxiety and/or developing confidence in students.
Tony
PS the University's mission statement is posted at:http://www.cornell.edu/about/mission/