Library Mission Statements

~ Library ~ Information Literacy ~ Circulation ~ Reference ~
~ Library Instruction ~ Research Consultations ~ Technical Processing ~

Library Services

The library, organized and managed for the user, serves as a learning resource center and, as such, provides the resources and services necessary to support the objectives of the College. The Library program exists to facilitate and improve learning and is an integral part of the instructional program. Its role in relationship to the educational objectives of the College is two-fold: (1) To provide an organized and readily accessible collection of materials and diversified forms of information and supportive equipment needed to meet the institutional, instructional, and individual requirements of the students and faculty. (2) To provide a variety of services to support and expand the instructional capabilities of the College. To accomplish its mission, the Division of Library Services does the following:

Build collections (acquire, inventory, store, and make available), virtual and traditional, print and non-print materials which serve as resources for the College.
Participation in networks, consortia and programs which promote resource sharing of collections and services.
Provide instruction in research and information retrieval skills to prepare patrons for life-long learning.
Offer services and hours which are responsive to the needs of the Campus community.
Support the diverse research needs of the Campus community including specialized information services which are responsive to the diverse cultural and physical needs.
Provide state-of-the-art facilities and other resources which utilize the latest development in instructional and information technology.
Provide liaison services to faculty and other relevant groups and individuals within the Campus community.
Serve as a center for life-long learning by providing information, activities and environments for independent study, self-directed, interactive and collaborative learning and professional development.

Revised October 2003.

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Information Literacy

Mission

Our mission is to provide an information literacy program that fosters the development of lifelong learning skills. Information literate individuals have the "ability to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information" (American Library Association, 1989). These skills contribute to the ability to think critically and use information ethically and legally. Our information literacy program supports the Library's mission of providing resources and services necessary to support the excellence in teaching and learning objectives of the College.

We support this mission by:

Collaborating with the College community to integrate information literacy across the curriculum in all academic programs
Promoting the use of library resources in all formats
Providing instruction formally or informally, in person or via technology
Continually evaluating programs and methods and updating our skills to reflect best practices

August 2004
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Circulation

Mission Statement

The mission of the Circulation Department is to provide appropriate levels of circulation services, collection maintenance, public assistance and reserve materials processing. The Library user is our focus and excellent service to users is the mission of all Circulation activities. The Library facilities of Tallahassee Community College are primarily to provide for the educational needs of students, faculty, administrative offices and staff of the College.

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Reference Department

Mission Statement

In keeping with the mission statements of the Tallahassee Community College and the TCC Library, the Reference Department pursues excellence in the provision and promotion of information services that support the teaching and learning process. The department strives to provide a learning environment that nurtures self-directed inquiry, enabling learners to become critical thinkers who are able to communicate knowledge both within the classroom and the global community.

We support this mission by:

Offering a variety of access points for resources and services, including virtual reference.
Instructing learners on the use of effective and efficient strategies to explore and use information to gain knowledge, deepen understanding, and solve complex problems.
Selecting and providing reference materials in a variety of formats that meet the needs of varied learning styles in a diverse college community.
Serving as liaison to other college divisions/departments to promote communication and collaboration for integration of library materials and services.
Participating in consortia and network activities that broaden our knowledge base and update our skills to reflect best practices.
Continually evaluating programs, materials, and services.
Providing a model facility, ample resources, and appropriate staffing.
Infusing a resource-rich environment with technology communication tools.
Delivering courteous, timely, and unbiased assistance to all users.

August 2004

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Library Instruction

Mission Statement

The TCC Library Instruction Program supports the educational mission of the College to assist students "in developing the ability to think critically, creatively, and reflectively; and to prepare them for productive and satisfying lives" (Mission Statement, Tallahassee Community College). Our program's mission is to develop and foster information literacy skills within our college community.

Information literacy skills include the ability to identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively use information and to understand the legal, social, and ethical aspects of information use. Our program is aligned with the "Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education" (Association of College & Research Libraries, 2000) and strategic Library planning.

To achieve this mission, we will:

Collaborate with faculty to provide instruction that meets information literacy objectives.
Utilize teaching strategies and methodologies that reflect the diversity of our learning-community, various learning styles, educational levels, and locations of our users.
Continually evaluate and update programs, services and instructional skills.

August 2004

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Research Consultations

Mission Statement

The TCC Library Research Consultation Program supports the Library Instruction Program mission "to develop and foster information literacy skills within our college community." Information literacy skills include the ability to identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively use information and to understand the legal, social, and ethical aspects of information use. Within that framework, the Research Consultation Program's particular mission is to provide TCC students, faculty and staff with individualized, point-of-need assistance that will enable them to successfully conduct their research. Research consultations are designed to enhance the information literacy skills that are the basis of lifelong learning.

To achieve this mission, we will:

Schedule appointments for one-on-one in-depth research assistance tailored to the individual's information need
Provide hands-on user-centered instruction responsive to individual learning style and educational level
Encourage active user participation and feedback during consultations to foster a collaborative learning environment
Continually evaluate the program and methods and update our skills to reflect best practices
January 2006

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Technical Services

Mission Statement

The mission of Technical Services at Tallahassee Community College Library is to acquire, organize, preserve, maintain, and provide access to recorded knowledge and information in various formats in the most efficient and effective ways possible to support the College's curriculum; to assist in the development of a collection of learning resources; to work cooperatively with other library units to provide the best library services possible for the users; to follow and support national standards and practice in organizing learning resources; and to contribute bibliographic and holdings records that can be accessed by a larger community.

September 2004