Library Principles
The following four statements constitute the governing principles of Lane Community College Library. They were adopted by the Library staff from 1992 to the present.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Further resources
Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries
Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights
Library Information Literacy Mission Statement
Revised Freedom to Read Statement
