Mission Statement Review
The mission of MISD libraries that is currently in use is not quite in step with current library philosophy and practice.
Current Mission Statement
Take a look at our current mission statement. I see several things that I think should be changed:
1. It's too long. A good mission statement should be easily memorized. A mission statement is the ruler against which we measure our library program. Whenever we want to try something new, change a procedure or policy, we should be able to remember our mission and ask ourselves: "Does this new program, policy or procedure help us accomplish our mission?"
2. It doesn't go far enough. Current library professional literature talks about the library as a learning lab. It's no longer enough to say that the library is an extension of the classroom. We want the library to be seen as a place of learning equal to the classroom. Our mission statement must reflect that way of thinking.
3. It's passive. Using a verb like "provide" implies that we will offer services, but they may or may not be used. In today's educational climate, we can't afford to be offering services that no one uses. What we offer must be an integral part of the teaching and learning that goes on.
4. It's in the affective domain. Talking about "providing a learning climate" just isn't going to cut it anymore. We have to be much more than a warm, friendly environment!
So here's a rough draft:
The mission of the Mesquite ISD library program is to be the center of learning in a way that challenges students so that each one succeeds.
Go ahead - tear it up!
Click edit above to add your thoughts and/or comments. Be sure and sign your posting!
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Brenda A.: Is the library responsibility to "challenge" as much as it is to enable, aid, provide, or encourage?
Mary W: Words like enable, aid, provide and/or encourage are all in the affective domain and difficult to measure. Could a vital library program where the librarian collaborates with teachers on higher-level research projects for students be considered challenging? If you don't like the word "challenges", how about "engages"?
Debbie S.: I like it! I especially like the way that it ties back to our MISD mission about successful students. What are some ways we can measure?
Mary Mc: It's good, but does it really say what we do? I am left feeling like there should be more but I'm not sure what it is. What is condisdered success?
I'm not sure this goes deep enough to cover all the facets of the library? Often we act as a change agent so I like the word challenge. Perhaps we need to address who we challenge. Hopefully, we are challenging all the members of the learning community (teachers/ students/administrators. Are we the center or do you think we are more of a foundation of learning?
Mary W.: As I look more at the statement, I'm wondering about the words "center of learning" too. The first part of a mission statement is actually the "vision" part, so it's supposed to be big and audacious. Is it a little too audacious? What about the words "integral to the learning process" instead?
As for saying what we do, it doesn't have to list everything we do like the last one did. We're trying to move away from that and just give a clear picture of what the end result should be when you have a quality library program.
Anne G.: I like the draft of the new mission statement. It is right to the point. However, since we are a school library I would also like to see some mention of a nuturing atmosphere and working toward each individual's potential.
Mary W.: Aren't a nurturing environment and working toward each individual's potentiall implied? If students are challenged and able to learn in the library aren't we in fact providing those things? Just a thought...
Sherri A.:I think it looks fine. It seems to sum it up in a more succinct way, so I wouldn't really change anything.
Another draft (based on comments above)
| The mission of the Mesquite ISD library program is to be integral to the learning process in a way that engages students so that each one succeeds. |
Debbie S. I think the change to "integral" is better in that it implies integrated learning which is what we want to be about. Looking back "center of learning" seems a little arrogant
Mary Mc I like this much better it doesn't leave me with questions like the first one did.
Much easier to use, I looked back at the old one and I think it uses every possible verb.
Robin D.: One of the high school librarians in my group suggested we changed the end of the mission statement to "...that challenges students and connects them to quality resources." 10/19/05
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