Download the library’s 2024 to 2028 strategic plan.
Mission:
The University Library’s mission is to support Georgia State University’s academic teaching, research, and service goals by providing access to quality resources, offering expertise in research and critical thinking skills, and creating a vibrant learning environment that inspires and engages the university community.
Vision:
To be a valued partner in student success and an integral component of the Georgia State University research community, empowering members with resources, services, and spaces that foster lifelong learning, critical thinking, and intellectual discovery.
Values:
Collaboration: We believe in the power of collaboration and actively seek partnerships within the university and beyond to enrich the resources and services we offer.
Access and Inclusivity: We believe in equitable access to information for all Georgia State University community members. We actively work to eliminate barriers to access and strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment.
Excellence: We are committed to excellence in everything we do, from the quality of our collections and services to the expertise of our team.
Innovation: We embrace innovation and continuously explore new ways to adapt to the evolving needs of our users and the changing landscape of information and technology.
Integrity: We act consistently and professionally, ensuring transparency, fairness, and responsible stewardship of resources.
Strategic Priorities
1. Strengthen Partnerships
- Pursue collaborations with other campus units, including academic departments, student success, student services, and administration, to enhance integrated teaching, learning, and research support.
- Develop, promote, and host workshops, events, exhibits, and cultural programs to highlight and connect our unique collections and services to user communities, internal and external to Georgia State University.
- Build partnerships with libraries, consortia, and external organizations to leverage shared resources and expand the impact of library services within and beyond the university.
Related Pillars: Identity, Placemaking and Belonging, Innovating Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity, Student Success 2.0, Beyond College to Career.
2. Invest in Employee Development and Well-being
- Ensure employees have opportunities for growth within and beyond their current roles.
- Enhance mentoring and cross-training programs to provide career development and exploration opportunities.
- Continue to invest in professional development opportunities for library employees to enhance their expertise and stay current with best practices.
- Foster a supportive, inclusive work environment promoting collaboration and creativity, provide feedback, value employee contributions, and encourage employee growth.
Related Pillars: Identity, Placemaking and Belonging
3. Create Inclusive and Dynamic Services and Spaces
- Design library spaces to provide flexible, collaborative, and technologically advanced environments that support different learning and study preferences.
- Implement innovative technologies and approaches to improve accessibility and inclusivity and enhance the user experience.
- Develop instruction in multiple modalities to support student learning. Partner with faculty, instructors, and other support services to ensure students have the research, critical thinking, and other skills for academic success.
- Enhance outreach efforts to raise awareness of library resources and services among the university community and across campuses and beyond.
Related Pillars: Identity, Placemaking and Belonging, Student Success 2.0, Innovating Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity, Beyond College to Career
4. Support Research and Scholarship
- Collaborate with faculty and researchers to provide targeted support for scholarly communication, open access publishing, and data analysis and management support.
- Create personalized and specialized support services for graduate students, faculty, and researchers.
- Build connections across campus to strengthen and facilitate interdisciplinary research.
- Engage with AI research initiatives. Foster partnerships with university initiatives and library and information industry experts in AI to enhance research support, optimize library operations, and stay abreast of the latest developments.
Related Pillars: Innovating Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity, Student Success 2.0
5. Steward Resources Effectively and Sustainably
- Advocate for new and ongoing resources from institutional and private sources and pursue funding opportunities and grants to support innovative initiatives and projects.
- Use multiple data sources to inform resource allocation decisions and engage in assessment to allocate resources effectively.
- Conduct regular assessments in formal and informal processes to understand the effectiveness of events, workshops, and instruction and understand the university community’s evolving demands around library services, spaces, and collections.
Related Pillars: Identity, Placemaking and Belonging, Innovating Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity, Student Success 2.0, Beyond College to Career