Everett I.L. Baker Library: About NCC Library: Mission, Vision, Values, and Action Plan

What We Stand For

Mission

Mission Statement:

The Everett I. L. Baker Library supports the college’s mission and commitment to student success. The library provides access to information and expert support for the students, faculty and staff of Norwalk Community College as well as the community at large in a diverse and inclusive environment where users come to study, share ideas, and learn.

Vision

Vision Statement:

The library is the college’s information center.

We strive to provide and support...

Quality instruction in the research process
A collection of library materials in varied formats
Facilities and equipment maintained for effective academic use
Diverse and multicultural interests
Sensitive to need, responsive to demand
Expert in organization and utilization of learning resources

Values

Library Values:

We value the learner-centered community
We value intellectual freedom
We value innovation and access to information through the judicious use of technologies for research and communication
We value the process by which information become knowledge and we support the college community in that endeavor

Actions

Library Actions:

Information Literacy
- Develop instructional programs focused on educating students to be skilled and information literate researchers.
- Actively guide and support students in their academic journey as they engage with scholarship, increase capacity for information literacy, develop critical thinking skills, and excel in their field of study.
- Apply student-centered and universal design principles to our instruction.
- Embrace flexibility in response to student needs and leverage the expertise of our staff to guide decision-making in collaboration with faculty.
- Use assessment of information literacy classes to understand user needs and gather actionable data leading to improvements with measurable impact.
Information Resources
- Deliver high-quality resources that support the educational and professional goals of our students.
- Collaborate with faculty to choose resources that support the NCC curriculum.
- Build a collection of resources that operates as a hub for scholarship and learning that is increasingly interdisciplinary.
- Make available resources and information representing a range of viewpoints and opinions as we believe that every member of our community should be able to investigate ideas without restriction.
- Collect, preserve, and conserve resources of cultural value and historical significance to the communities we serve.
Technology
- Provide access to technology spaces, resources, and tools that facilitate interactivity and creativity for students and staff.
- Create systems, procedures, and policies related to available technology that are intuitive and accessible to all.
- Actively seek out and experiment with new technologies that encourage intellectual curiosity.
Library Staff
- Provide equitable and impartial access to resources, services, and programs to all people, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran status.
- Actively promote Library services and resources to faculty, staff, and students while being transparent about our decisions and accountable for our actions.
- Foster an inclusive and respectful environment by listening and responding to the needs of the NCC community.
- Continuously engage in addressing our personal and organizational biases in order to transform our practices as librarians.
- Encourage the professional development of library staff and foster a workplace that is inclusive, respectful, and open to change.