MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT

Mission (Core Purpose):

The mission of the John B. Coleman Library is to provide resources and instructional material in support of the evolving curriculum, as a partner in Prairie View A&M University's mission of teaching, research, and service. The Library provides leadership in accessing and using information consistent with the mission and goals of the University, the Texas A&M University System, the State of Texas, and the scholarly global community.

The Library evaluates its programs, collections, technology, service delivery, and other activities on a regular basis, in order to continue to meet the challenges of a changing technological and global society. The Library seeks to achieve excellence by encouraging, facilitating, and coordinating the active participation of the university community in identifying and acquiring resources. The John B. Coleman Library also seeks to be both an educational resource center and a learning organization that constantly works to maximize its effectiveness in accomplishing its mission. In addition, the Library collaborates in the pursuit of consistent quality service, instruction in all aspects of information retrieval, the transmission and exchange of scholarly information, and the development of educational and cultural programs, as expressed in the University's Core Values, of "access and quality, diversity, leadership, relevance, and social responsibility," by:

Acquiring, managing, and preserving information resources in a broad range of formats

Recruiting, developing, and training a competent and diverse staff to design and deliver information and instructional services, using various technologies

Providing enhanced access to information and organized collections of educational materials and instructional resources, and maintaining adequate hours of operation to meet needs of users

Ensuring high quality service, consultation, and resources both on campus and at distant locations

Maintaining and providing access to state-of-the-art information technology, to meet current and changing information needs of the university community

Creating an environment conducive for study, research, learning, and work.

Teaching information retrieval, research skills, and evaluation using current and emerging technologies

Recognizing the importance of the library as a " place" with inviting, comfortable, secure and networked spaces for learning and research

Providing leadership in a variety of cooperative and reciprocal resource sharing programs

Identifying, acquiring, organizing, preserving, and making available special collections of artistic, historical and enduring significance, that reflects the growth, development, and contributions of the university and of black people.

Vision (Envisioned Future):

The vision of the John B. Coleman Library is to fulfill its unique role, as the only campus facility that is truly universal, and to be the "heart" of the Prairie View A&M University's academic and research culture, and to substantially contribute to the intellectual activities of the University. In carrying out this vision, the Library will acquire, manage, and link information resources, both physical and virtual, and will provide quality instruction to empower users to benefit from the full potential of the universe of knowledge. As more than a physical place, the Library will use state-of-the-art technology to provide information to users beyond its walls. In addition to service for the students and faculty, the Library will also assist the University in achieving its commitment to the broader community. It will contribute to the intellectual, cultural, and social development of regional, national, and international communities. Uniquely positioned to fulfill this vision, the Library's information professionals and staff will ensure that Prairie View A&M University meets the complex information challenges of the 21st century, for life-long learning and excellence in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies.

Revised and Updated: November 2005

Rosie L. Albritton - M.L.S., Ph.D. Director, University Library Services and
Professor Educational Media & Technology
rialbritton@pvamu.edu

 

Maintained by Karl Henson; Last revised 2/14/08 keh